Modern Economization—Only a Burden on Diaconia and Church?

Abstract

Although Diaconia/Caritas and Protestant/Roman Katholic Churches are large service providers in Germany, they often feel economic thinking as a burden or even a nuisance. It is regarded as something "not authentic" in the aid and assistance to the poor, miserable and needy as successors in the love of Jesus Christ. But economic thinking has to be seen as careful handling of the entrusted goods and is justified in the sense of belief in creation and the "Two Natures Doctrine" of Christ. It must be regarded as an important expression of all the earthly. On the other hand an exclusively economic profit-oriented attitude easily can turn in greed and avarice. And that makes it blind not only for the responsibility to one's neighbor and but also for essential risks. Therefore many companies went to develop their own "corporate culture", in which should be deployed the ethical principles of the companies. However in the companies of the Diaconia it is not necessary to develop new ethical principals because diaconal work should be founded in a "culture of charity" of Christianity that creates engaged employees.