A group of Christian businesspersons learned how to bring God
into the marketplace during a breakfast seminar sponsored by
Christians in Commerce. The event, themed “Doing the Right
Thing in Business and Government,” was held Feb. 2 at
Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Tysons Corner.
The keynote speakers were Mark D. Lytle, assistant U.S.
attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Bill
Colegrove, CEO of aspenhome and Furniture Values
International.
Bill Dalgetty, former president and chairman of the board of
Christians in Commerce International, served as moderator.
Lytle, a parishioner of St. Mary Church in Alexandria, spoke
about government and business corruption cases, including the
landmark case against former U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson.
Lytle said people who get involved in public corruption,
either in business or government, start slowly and gradually
progress to the point where it consumes their lives. People
often are relieved when their secret life of corruption is
finally discovered, he said.
In the beginning, people convince themselves that “everyone
is else is doing it,” so stealing, embezzling or taking
bribes becomes acceptable behavior.
“It’s the human condition,” Lytle said. “We’re all
susceptible to it.”
In the bribery case involving Jefferson, the congressman used
his political influence overseas to solicit bribes from
companies that wanted to do business in West Africa. Lytle
said Jefferson focused on smaller businesses that were most
vulnerable to his influence.
Despite political pressure from Congress and the White House,
Jefferson was found guilty of 11 counts of bribery and
sentenced to 13 years in prison in August 2009.
Lytle warned his audience to be prepared for the unexpected
in the business world. “Someone will surprise you,” he said.
Colegrove, past president of the Phoenix chapter of
Christians in Commerce, recounted how he guided his
multi-national company through the recession in 2008, as well
as a contentious litigation case involving the Chinese
government.
“For the past 20 years, I have tried to lead a way in the
marketplace that is pleasing to God,” Colegrove said.
Most people are spending more time in the marketplace every
year, “but it’s the place where we’re least formed,” he said.
“Through Jesus Christ, God installs His standards for the
marketplace.”
Colegrove abides by the Scripture admonition to love and
serve God with your whole heart and love and serve your
neighbor as yourself.
He said the great success his company achieved at the
beginning came to an abrupt halt in 2008 when the market
crashed. But the temporary setback galvanized his company.
“By following the God-standard, we came out in a better
place,” he said.
He encouraged his fellow businessmen to “work for God and not
for human masters. Don’t settle for secular standards. Go for
the gold.
“What you do matters for God,” he said. “See what you do
through God’s eyes. We do the right thing by looking toward
our Father.”
Flach can be reached at [email protected].
Find out more
For information about Christians in Commerce or business
ethics, contact Bill Dalgetty at [email protected], call
703/201-2954 or visit cicintl.org/novabusethics.
