The Entrepreneurial Vocation

By Robert Sirico

In this essay, Robert A. Sirico draws upon theology, philosophy, and history to outline the contours of what he calls the entrepreneurial vocation, and its relationship with the deeper Christian message concerning the incomparable dignity of man and the sanctification of the world through human work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Acton Institute
• Release date: Jul 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781938948039

Robert Sirico

Rev. Robert A. Sirico is a Roman Catholic priest and the president and co-founder of the Acton Institute, a think-tank dedicated to promoting a free-market economic policy framed within a moral worldview. He is the author of several books, including Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy, and his writings have been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the London Financial Times, and National Review, among numerous other publications. Fr. is regularly called upon to discuss economics, civil rights, and issues of religious concern and has provided commentary for CNN, ABC, the BBC, NPR, and CBS’ 60 Minutes.

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The Entrepreneurial Vocation

Robert A. Sirico

Introduction by William E. LaMothe

Copyright © 2012 by Acton Institute

An imprint of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty

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Contents

Introduction

The Entrepreneurial Vocation

Stewardship of Talents: The Intellectual Divide Between Religious Leaders and Entrepreneurs

The Practical Divide Between Religious Leaders and Entrepreneurs

The Propriety of Moral Outrage

Entrepreneurs and Economists: Family Squabble or Sibling Rivalry?

Entrepreneurship As a Spiritual Vocation

Notes

About the Authors

Introduction

To those of us who have spent most of our years in the business world, the title of this essay by Rev. Robert Sirico may sound a bit strange. In my own experience, the very word vocation generally meant a calling, which, in turn, usually implied a calling to life as a priest or nun, or as a clergyman or missionary. The question the title raises, then, is this: How do the concepts of entrepreneur and vocation come together and make sense?

In this essay, Father Sirico answers that question. The case can certainly be made that all entrepreneurs believe strongly enough in their ideas to accept the fact that those ideas convey a calling—a calling that spurs them on, often to risk everything to make it happen. If a product or service is successful, it fills a need for those buying it, and the entrepreneur may then go on to fame and riches. Even if a given product is unsuccessful, the entrepreneur can maintain confidence if he is convinced that God has chosen him to take on this kind of task as his life’s work.

Father Sirico points out the need for entrepreneurs to have the moral framework within which to understand their efforts. This understanding helps the businessman to affirm the dignity of the enterprise that he has undertaken. It also imparts certain responsibilities to him; he cannot think of his business efforts without reference to the dictates of his conscience and the religious principles to which he adheres.

The essay also highlights the need for others, especially religious leaders, to recognize and appreciate the moral character of the entrepreneur’s efforts. Many religious leaders are suspicious of the free enterprise system and of the entrepreneur. Father Sirico not only attempts to clarify the division between businessmen and clergy but also offers a way to bridge that gap. He does this by elucidating the Christian principles that are inherent to the entrepreneurial spirit.

Father Sirico is uniquely positioned to analyze the spheres of religion and business. As a member of the clergy, he has undergone the seminary experience and theological education and has worked as a paastor. He understands

Reviews for The Entrepreneurial Vocation

[stevebishop-3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Lord is my entrepreneur I shall not lack?

This is little book asks the right questions. I'm not sure it always gives the right answers.

Robert Sirico is a Catholic priest who co-founded the Acton Institute in 1990. He has written this book out of a concern for the church and the lack of understanding of economic principles. He writes with the aim of integrating the concept of entrepreneur and vocation. He is right when he writes:

While entrepreneurs should not be unfairly criticized for making money, they also must not be treated as victims of unjust discrimination who deserve a special blessing. However, it is also true that their chosen profession deserves to be legitimized by their faith. The public must begin to acknowledge the value of the entrepreneurial vocation, the wise stewardship of talents, and the tangible contributions of entrepreneurs to society.


He starts by highlighting the lack of insight many have regarding the integration of faith and business. Typical of many examples is this one Sirico gives:

I recall one man, a self-described conservative Christian, saying that he no longer attended church services because he refused to sit in the pew with his family and, in effect, be chastised for his business acumen. How many critical sermons can a small-business owner or investment banker hear before he or she loses heart and decides to sleep in on the Sabbath?


His analysis is correct. "An obvious reason for this ignorance is the astonishing lack of any economics training in virtually all seminaries." He may well be right, but is that the role of seminaries? Does this mean we should also provide science training in seminaries, and what about politics, art .... the danger then would be the seminary becomes a general education college. I would rather see seminaries equipping the pastors to be able to equip the rest of the saints. That may include some economics training, but better would be equipping in the tools to be able to critique the economic, scientific, political, .... ideologies.


I must also confess to being a little troubled by his 'principal argument':

The principal argument of this essay is that the pursuit of excellence, like the mind’s original constitution, discloses humanity’s ontological orientation toward the highest and most supreme good, namely, the perfect apprehension of God in heaven (cf. 1 Cor. 13:12).


This sounds a little close to being neo-platonic.

He helpfully contrasts two views of the market the first held by 'religious leaders' as they pass the collection plate, is static and commands a Robin Hood morality; the other held by entrepreneur is of making rather than collecting money, the market is dynamic, a process rather than a place or object. This is obviously an over-characterisation. He makes this point to show that the 'clergy' must understand the market economy.

For those who think that the business enterprise is fuelled by selfishness and greed or that when entrepreneurs make economic losses they are getting their just deserts, this booklet will provide a helpful antidote.

He closes the book by taking a look at the parable of the talents and uses it to show how business and entrepreneurship are not no-go areas for Christians. As he notes:"Entrepreneurs are the source of more social and spiritual good than is generally recognized."

There is much in this short booklet for careful and considered thought, it will provide the stimulus to think more carefully over these issues. The entrepreneur is a part of God's good creation and should be valued as such. The entrepreneurial vocation is just as much a vocation, a calling as being a priest, pastor or preacher.