Yesterday the Internet and other media lit up with a story of a man quitting his job. His name is Greg Smith, a mid-level executive with the investment banking firm Goldman Sachs. It is what he put in his letter of resignation–carried as an op-ed piece in the New York Times–that grabbed the attention of millions.
In his letter, “Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs,” Smith decried a corruption of the culture of the immensely powerful firm. He claimed that in his twelve years there he witnessed a degrading of the company’s most valuable asset, the “secret sauce” of the firm as he called it: a culture in which the company succeeded because it sought to serve its clients well.
Integrity has eroded, humility is non-existent, and the only value driving the firm is the bottom line. Smith recounts executives calling clients “muppets” and describing success as “ripping the eyeballs out” of someone among other choice anecdotes.
Analyzing what has happened in the last decade, Smith says: “How did we get here? The firm changed the way it thought about leadership. Leadership used to be about ideas, setting an example and doing the right thing. Today, if you make enough money for the firm (and are not currently an ax murderer) you will be promoted into a position of influence.”
Smith calls this crisis of culture at Goldman Sachs a crisis of morality.
The letter landed like a bomb within the firm yesterday. The reaction on the Internet and in other media has been intense. But here is the interesting thing to me–no, not interesting, but infuriating, disturbing, disgusting–most of the reaction I have read or heard has been: yes, this is bad, this is seedy–but hey, what do you expect? Hasn’t it always been this way? Isn’t it this way everywhere?
I don’t want to have to believe this, but maybe it is time to say: cynicism now reigns. It has settled into our culture like a life-threatening hypothermia. People are numb. They’re ready to give up.
The ultimate triumph of cynicism is that people are cynical and they don’t even know it.
When trust of leaders of government is below 20%, when education has become more a trade than a calling, when the court system is a roll of the dice–all that is bad enough. But when people shrug their shoulders with a “what did you expect?” attitude, we have to wonder who is left to step forward and offer that rare thing today: an ideal.
I am not saying that we should be hopeful that redemptive values will arise out of secular institutions. There has never been any real power, integrity, truth, or wisdom in a philosophy based on the ways of the world. But we have enjoyed for centuries the benefits of the influence of a biblical, Judeo-Christian perspective on our culture and institutions. Yes, it is even possible to work for a company to seek to turn a profit and at the same time serve a higher purpose. This is not hard to figure out. If one holds to a biblical view of human beings made in the image of God, then human dignity and community flourishing are ideals that can be carried into business, education, government and other arenas. And we should also say, the church. We cannot assume that our churches are always driven by the ideals of the kingdom of God. History has shown that those of us in the church have no basis for self-righteousness. We can spoil the culture of our churches as easily as Goldman Sachs can lose any sense of purpose. The fact that my office is in a church rather than a Wall Street suite is no guarantee that my motives will come from above.
What do you think?
…Bless you….
This article really shook me. As I do not need to go that far as to audit my employer´s practices, I definitely did a personal audit. We might find ourselves even as Christians having a biblical perspective of life, inmerse and lost in our own interpretations and conveniences. We need to stand not for our thoughts and ideals but for Higher ones, denying ours. Thank you for sharing this.
I am ashamed to say that I watched the news report with much the attitude that is described: nonchalance. I was not surprised. I was not infuriated.
I wish I had been both.
I applaud this young man for his honesty. Unfortunately, this is the way of our country and world. We are in an awful downward spiral morally, intellectually and spiritually. All point to the end times………………corruption is everywhere and I have to wonder if the ONLY solution will be the Second Coming. God must be so sad with His Creation.
I whole heartily agree the time has to be approaching, God didn’t allow Sodom and Gahmora to reach this level.
The fact that the world has gotten in everything, including church, is no surprise. I still have not found a church I can go to for a little community, a good sermon, and lifting of my spirits. None still seem to teach about Christ. Oh okay they do on the surface, but once you get into it, most churches base the amount of attention you get on the amount of money you give. It is very sad. Very sad indeed. I can only thank the Lord that He forgives, and give new mercy daily. Because whether it’s Goldman Sachs, or the Church of Christ. The message seems to be the same.
I see your point on some issues but some not.
As far as the money issue God plainly says you are to tithe, the church can’t grow and help others without your donations, I know this seems to be the center focus of some churchs especially in a society that is governed by getting your money. I can go on about this in length if you wish to discuss it further.
I also know of a few smaller churches that I’m sure would peak your interest, we can also discuss this further if you wish. I know the world is pushing secularism into every aspect of of culture and it’s truly sad. Its not going to get any better either according to the word of God.
This really doesn’t surprise me in the least, everywhere you turn they are removing and or banning anything that relates to God and the truth of His word.
Our forefathers established the this nation on the principles and moral fabric of God.
Take Him out of the equation and you have a meology based culture heading for total annihilation.
Just as the Bible repeativly states time and time again.
What’s your input here let’s hear it.
As a pastor and the CEO of our family business that has been around since 1945, sadly it’s true. We have lost our moral compass when it comes to business. Worse still it does not bother most Christians , in fact too many want a chance to be just as destructive. We don’t preach enough about justice.
The Goldman Sach’s story should not surprise us. Jesus warned us the world was like this.
Since the Fall Of Adam, mankind has been inclined in favor of a sinful life.
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, but mankind preferred to go its own way.
Jesus taught the way of Truth and Light. What did mankind do to Him?
Our Savior warned us it would be like this. He is the Truth and the Light, and He is not of this world.
As we follow Him, we must remember that we may walk this earth, but we can’t be of this world either. Work to make the world better, but realize there is another force pushing mankind in another direction. It is a constant battle.
Take heart; we are at war, but God is on our side. (Thank you, Jesus!)
Brother Lawrenz, I thank you for supporting a value that has escaped all of us, and yes even as churchpeople. The bottom line is God’s and we are to walk in the values His Word teaches. Christian people do indeed want to help their neighbor. We are concerned about their well-being regardless of race, color, creed or ethnicity. You and Greg have give all of us something to think about and act on. Because if we only think about it is the sin of ommission. God bless Greg and the awesome work God has inspired you to do.
I was not surprised, infuriated, or shocked, I was saddened, because this is a picture of what has happened due to the fact that the majority of us, Christ followers, Disciples of Jesus if you will, just stand around and do nothing about what is happening in this country and in the world at large. I think many of us have the attitude that this is how it should be, because the Lord is going to return and end it all, soon. But, the point is this, we should all be working right up until His return speaking the truth in love and spreading the Good News, we should all be standing against unrighteousness whereever it is.
When I watch pastors, I can’t help but ask, “Is he led by the Spirit or his ego?” I find it very difficult to be able to tell the difference. Like businesses, many churches define success in numbers. I can just hear the elders say, “The pews are full, he must be spirit-led.” At the same time, I can hear the pastor say, “Wow, I am doing a great job, the pews are full.” The problem is the pastor might have spent no time that week actually caring for people. He just spent the time preparing a slick message and creating flow charts.
Mel:
As a former student of yours (History of Christianity) it is remarkable that the Roman Empire (ca. 27 BC – 476 AD) lasted about 500 years, and the British Empire (ca. 1583 – 1945) about 362 years. How long will the United States remain the “world leader”? Sociologists predict that Europe will be 50% Muslim by 2038, as well as the United States. 70% of black children in the US are born out of wedlock as well as poor whites. There are few “traditional families” left. What happened to the “Judeo-Christian” morality of our country (if it ever truly was)?
Yes, things are bad, there are wars and rumors of wars. Are we to be the last generation? I find comfort in the Scriptures. We, as Christians know how the story will end. “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”.
For a nation with a majority of Christians, it seems we have lost our way in business, government, foreign policy, etc. Our country seems sick. We can pray – certainly we need to – but that will not bring healing. If it seems God “has left the house”, I don’t think it is because prayer is not mandated in the schools. Maybe we need to look deeper and ask ourselves just what being “His people” (Christians) means. Do we act like we are God’s representatives on Earth?
A guy named Isaiah wrote some very pertinent comments a while ago that spoke how God would not listen to the prayers of His people, nor attend their religious ceremonies and considered their hymns noise – God went so far as to say His soul hated their empty pretense. Fasting and more religious activities did no good because there was no change in actions.
God’s remedy, as told to Isaiah, was to give justice to the poor, spend themselves on behalf of the hungry, loose chains of injustice, treat employees fairly, plead for widows, defend orphans, not turn their back on those in need and THEN their national healing would come and THEN they would shine like the new day and their night would be as bright as noon. Jesus interpreted it as the difference between being sheep and goats – one group had a great meeting with Jesus at the end of all things, the other not so nice.
We can either start to act like we believe this is true or we can continue with our “fire insurance” faith that focuses on getting people to say they believe what we believe – without the cost of actually having to act like they (or we) believe it. We seem to be experiencing the benefits of the latter option. Can we try the former?