From My Perspective - - -
In trying times, some look to the past in search of words of wisdom that can offer guidance for the present. Many attribute The Boetcker Dialogue to Abraham Lincoln – perhaps based upon the approach and inclination of the author - Ralph Keyes' axioms of misquotations – namely, "Famous Quotes Need Famous Mouths."
See: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/lincoln/prosperity.asp.
The Rev. William John Henry Boetcker was a Presbyterian minister and notable public speaker who served as director of the pro-employer Citizens' Industrial Alliance, a position he held when, in 1916, he produced a booklet of nuggets from his lectures. Boetcker's collection of maxims eventually crystallized as the list of ten now-familiar entries (variously known as the Industrial Decalogue, the Ten Don'ts, the Ten Cannots, Ten Things You Cannot Do, or the "American Charter"). His axioms are:
• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
• You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
• You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
• You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.
The axioms have merit and use for the current context of our nation and world. With National Deficits reaching levels that are difficult to comprehend; with the World’s Economies in critical condition; with no clear remedy or discipline to change course to a more sound business acumen – some light needs to penetrate the financial darkness. There was a time when Lighthouses and Fog Horns were employed to warn of impending danger. This was intended as a navigational aid to avoid shipwrecks and other potential peril. Perhaps it is time for The Boetcker Dialogue to be proclaimed and embraced as a Beacon.
There are many Biblical Axioms regarding Finances and Financial Management. A Basic Direction regarding finances is given in Deuteronomy 28 - - -
Borrowing Is Not What God Taught His People To Do - - -
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12:
“If you fully obey the LORD your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God. The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens to bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
The Consequence of Being A Debtor or A Debtor Nation - - -
Deuteronomy 28:43-45, 48:
“The foreigners living among you will become stronger and stronger, while you become weaker and weaker. They will lend money to you, not you to them. They will be the head, and you will be the tail! If you refuse to listen to the LORD your God and to obey the commands and laws he has given you, all these curses will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed…You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. They will oppress you harshly until you are destroyed.”
There are always choices to be made in the maintenance of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. One can ignore the Biblical Axioms – but Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Poverty, Hunger, and Becoming Indentured – can also become one’s experience. People and Nations have made wrong choices in the past – to their regret. Don’t be one who does similarly in the present. Consider these things with me!
In trying times, some look to the past in search of words of wisdom that can offer guidance for the present. Many attribute The Boetcker Dialogue to Abraham Lincoln – perhaps based upon the approach and inclination of the author - Ralph Keyes' axioms of misquotations – namely, "Famous Quotes Need Famous Mouths."
See: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/lincoln/prosperity.asp.
The Rev. William John Henry Boetcker was a Presbyterian minister and notable public speaker who served as director of the pro-employer Citizens' Industrial Alliance, a position he held when, in 1916, he produced a booklet of nuggets from his lectures. Boetcker's collection of maxims eventually crystallized as the list of ten now-familiar entries (variously known as the Industrial Decalogue, the Ten Don'ts, the Ten Cannots, Ten Things You Cannot Do, or the "American Charter"). His axioms are:
• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
• You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
• You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
• You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.
The axioms have merit and use for the current context of our nation and world. With National Deficits reaching levels that are difficult to comprehend; with the World’s Economies in critical condition; with no clear remedy or discipline to change course to a more sound business acumen – some light needs to penetrate the financial darkness. There was a time when Lighthouses and Fog Horns were employed to warn of impending danger. This was intended as a navigational aid to avoid shipwrecks and other potential peril. Perhaps it is time for The Boetcker Dialogue to be proclaimed and embraced as a Beacon.
There are many Biblical Axioms regarding Finances and Financial Management. A Basic Direction regarding finances is given in Deuteronomy 28 - - -
Borrowing Is Not What God Taught His People To Do - - -
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12:
“If you fully obey the LORD your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God. The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens to bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
The Consequence of Being A Debtor or A Debtor Nation - - -
Deuteronomy 28:43-45, 48:
“The foreigners living among you will become stronger and stronger, while you become weaker and weaker. They will lend money to you, not you to them. They will be the head, and you will be the tail! If you refuse to listen to the LORD your God and to obey the commands and laws he has given you, all these curses will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed…You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. They will oppress you harshly until you are destroyed.”
There are always choices to be made in the maintenance of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. One can ignore the Biblical Axioms – but Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Poverty, Hunger, and Becoming Indentured – can also become one’s experience. People and Nations have made wrong choices in the past – to their regret. Don’t be one who does similarly in the present. Consider these things with me!
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