Hungarian Church Press, 1968 (20. évfolyam, 2. szám)
1968-06-01 / 2. szám
HOP Vol XX Special Number 1968 No 2 (078C&) 98 -great ethical values« Hence the Christian is not a disinterested spectator of the sins committed against unity, such as quarrels, divisions, anti-social "behaviour and other acts against the community« He must condemn carelessness which may cause great economic losses, the various types of larceny and embezzlement, negligent conduct and work, loafing within and outside the factory gatesc. \ Christianity calls for truly social conduct and appeals to men to serve the interest of the community« This service is well-pleasing in the sight of God and mai and is deeply rooted in the ancient teaching of our churchf d)- The Christian; A Member "of the Community The practical application of all this is that the Christian is led. by the consideration of how he could give his best for the good of his neighbourso The Biblical command to love our fellowmen must issue in a working morale directed to the end of serving purposefully, systematically the good of our fellovvmor.. The Christocentric interpretation of work is opposed to the traditional training in individualism which resulted in selfishness, greed and also in tragic loneliness. The working morale cf the past was imbued with the spirit of rapacity ark greed. This deeply anti—social attitude was harmful to work and also issued,a~ mong others, in the inordinate demands far the wages* The word of Jesus - as we already quoted - "the workman is worthy cf liis meat" - has a very important bearing on this question« In our days when the collectivized character of work is progressively emphasized this principle assumes a colouring in that we must add to it in thought that he "is worthy" in the measure that his work, his activity, is to the good of the community« Yet Christian ethics based on the commandment to love God and cur fellowmat must also stress that it is only in his work to the good of the community that man can please God« A Christian cannot be indifferent as to the question concerning the meaning and purpose ,f life# The Christian living by grace and justified by faith believes that the meaning of life is to be found in one7s Christian activity that is carried on far the good of the community of our neighbours, for our country and for the good of mankind* Therefore, a Christian is actively interested in all those great causes which envisage the welfare of society* He is averse to the petit bourgeois rules; "none of ry business", "I don't care for that" etc« The destiny of his nation, the progress of his country are his heart7 s concern* Improved technology and the rationalization of work, in many cases, mean specialisation, so that a worker is trained and responsible only for a minute operation in the whole productive process, and this might make him feel that he is only a tiny cog in the big machine« This is coupled with the monotony of his work and this causes fatigue and boredom, Christian ethics has the task to teach men that, also in the productive process, we are dependent on one another7s work, and one7s labour is just as meaningful and indispensable, as that of his fellow-labourer, all being added together to serve the interests of the community«
