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Running head: BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW 1

BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW


BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW 2

Abstract

This paper reviews Ryken and Grudem's videos based on biblical worldviews. In the first

section, the idea discussed is whether our desires are on our throne or God's throne, and how

these concepts apply to my career as an accountant. It is also discussed how the concept of

contentment in Ryken's video may have prevented the failures we've heard about in the financial

sector. All this comes into play with our Christian worldviews and how John Wesley's prayer

can be incorporated into my daily life as an accountant. To conclude, I discuss how many

individuals have had a lack of accountability, especially in the financial sector. And how we lose

the sense of accountability when we don't think God is looking and holding us accountable for

our actions. How could this all be prevented if someone holds us accountable for our actions,

and how that can help us recover the marketplace and society.
Running head: BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW 3

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

It is humbling as it is fascinating to consider that God advances his kingdom agenda through

the prayers of his people. Jesus instructs his disciples to pray for the kingdom to come (Matt

6:10), and the coming kingdom is the undying burden of God’s people. Those who love the king

eagerly yearn for his kingdom to come (Raymond, 2018). It is often wondered if we desire that

the kingdom of God come or the ideas that Ryken discusses regarding God being on the throne

or us being on the throne.

How does this concept apply to your career as an accountant?

I have been an accountant for over 10 years. There have been instances where I have felt

like I have been the king of my own life. After understanding Ryken's view regarding having

God be my king, I'm not quite certain if my career as an accountant has demonstrated that

concept. Ryken does a great job of helping me understand that I put my desires before God.

That I too have lived my life like mine and not His. Although as Adonijah sates "I will be king"

(1 Kings 1:5, NIV), I hadn't recognized the fact that I also do that with my life. I do not thank

God every day for all my blessings, which I should. I do not make it a habit to ask what he

would want me to do when I have a decision to make, including in my career.

I currently work as a Sr. Corporate accountant. I supervise a staff accountant and do most of

our analytical work. However, I have never felt as if I'm superior in any way because of my title.

I do recognize the fact that I have been walking around like I am King of my world. That I make

decisions based on what is good for me, not pondering what God may want for me. I should

consult with God on all of my decisions, including my career. Putting myself second before God

will allow me to make good ethical decisions and allow me to be a better moral person. I have
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come across several accountants, in executive positions, that have portrayed Adonijah. They

feel they should be king of the organization, however, in turn, I have also seen them fall.

Someone that puts themselves in that position over God, will not be successful. I do wonder

now that I am aware of this if I have put myself the king of my career as an accountant.

How would Ryken’s concept of contentment have prevented many of the ethical failings
we’ve all head about in the financial sector?

Ryken states in his video (Ryken, 2012), “The way to be content is not by getting more of

what you think you want, but by knowing when to say enough is enough.” He goes even further

by stating that we can test if we are content in our lives by how often we say thank you to God

for all our blessings. Ryken's concept of contentment could have prevented the ethical failing by

simply carrying the concept he mentions. Instead of crowning ourselves, and looking after our

selfish needs, Jesus wants us to surrender everything we are and everything we have to him and

put his kingdom first (Ryken, 2012). The failings of the financial sector were exactly that,

selfishness, these people put themselves and their desires before God’s. As scripture states,

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to

you” (Mathew 6:33, ERV). When we surrender that part to Jesus, we will no longer base our

identity on what we achieve or fail to achieve but instead find our identity in this. We no longer

live to gain anything for ourselves, but for us, success simply means being faithful (Ryken,

2012).

How could you incorporate the principles of Johns Wesley's prayer (read by Ryken) into
your worldview as it relates to your work as an accountant?

John Wesley's "Covenant Prayer" is a prayer used for the renewal of the believer's

Covenant with God, it is a wonderful expression for individuals who want to affirm their
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commitment to God (Herringshaw, 2010). Wesley's prayer is beautiful and powerful. By

reciting this prayer, you are giving up the throne of your own life, and putting in the hands of

God, where it should be. As Ryken explains, we like to have people around us who will tell us

the things we want to hear. To reinforce our attitudes and affirm our choices. To support our

ambitions, and commend our expenditures, without ever challenging our priorities or correcting

our sins (Ryken, 2012). This prayer will allow our desires and selfishness to be given onto the

Lord, to make Him King of our lives, or careers, our home, our finances, etc. By doing this, my

career as well will be to serve the Lord. It will also help me make decisions that are God's and

not my own, in turn having a better outward worldview, and career. I am employed because of

God's blessing. Because he has blessed me with a wonderful career, I am content and fulfilled,

and therefore I need to incorporate this prayer in my everyday life and thank him for my many

blessings. He is the one who has given me everything (or not) that is at my disposal. I will

incorporate the words from the prayer especially “I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to

your pleasure and disposal” (Ryken, 2012), which encompasses everything.

How does the loss of accountability to God affect the way we operate in accounting? How
might the recovery of this worldview benefit the marketplace and society?

As Grudem explains, when we lose the accountability to God, "we lose the sense of

moral accountability, if we lose a Christian worldview, then when no one else is looking it leads

to unreliable work and theft. When no one else is listening who knows the truth, it will lead to

dishonesty, it will lead to selfishness and greed rather than care for others" (Grudem, 2010).

When this happens, people tend to not fear getting caught. In the accounting sector, it may lead

to theft, dishonest representation of financial statements to achieve personal gain, and unethical
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behavior. Recovery of this worldview will restore responsibility, moral conduct, ethical views,

and honest business transactions within the marketplace and society as a whole. Furthermore,

moral and ethical business transactions can be restored and all the failings we have heard about

in the financial sector can be minimized or most likely prevented.


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References:

Grudem, W. (2010). Wayne Grudem Keynote Excerpt. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-A30y4_ylI

Herringshaw, M. (2010). John Wesley's "Covenant Prayer". Retrieved from

https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/prayerplainandsimple/2010/02/john-wesleys-

covenant-prayer-1.html

Raymond, E. (2018). What Does It Mean to Pray 'Thy Kingdom Come'? Retrieved

from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/mean-pray-thy-kingdom-

come/

Ryken, P. (2012). Seeking the Kingdom’s Priorities [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq_5URoVv_g

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