(Note from Ray: I took break from Posting back in mid-December. I plan to resume–probably at a pace of about 1 post per week. Here’s a re-write of a post from March 2024 on the Christian foundation of Lean.)

Bible-believing Christians know that Adam and Eve’s fall in sin brought death and destruction into the world. The “fall” damaged both people and creation. Genesis 3:16-19 summarizes the sad results of the fall: pain in childbirth, relational conflict, and God’s “curse” on the ground. The “curse” means that Adam’s farming work was no longer easy. Instead, his efforts to grow crops also yielded thorns, thistles, and sweat.

Farming isn’t the only work affected by the curse. Everything we do in the marketplace is made more difficult and frustrating because we are fallen people living in a fallen world. When people gather to do productive work, things naturally go wrong. They go wrong in our production processes, and they go wrong in people and relationships.

This is why business is isn’t easy!

But here’s some good news: THINGS ARE NOT AS BAD AS THEY SHOULD BE.

If we read the Bible carefully, we will notice that God holds back some of the destructive results of sin. He pours out much blessing when people deserve wrath and punishment. He does this even for those who are NOT people of faith. Here are a few examples:

• In Genesis 20, God prevents King Abimelech from violating Sarah, even though Abraham had lied about her, saying “She is my sister.”
• In Matthew 5, Jesus commands His disciples to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” He says that God should be our example: “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)
• In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas preach the Gospel in the city of Lystra. Part of their message includes this: “In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”” (Acts 14:16–17)

Christian teachers have named this pattern “Common Grace.” Here’s a definition:

Common Grace is when God pours out un-deserved blessings on people whether or not they are His followers. These blessings include sunshine, rain, material prosperity, happiness, heath, family love, good results from natural abilities and talents, and some ability to refrain from sin. All human beings—including unbelievers—can exercise some degree of self-control, wise decision-making, respect for people, and even humility. These virtues (and others) typically produce positive results and a some level of satisfaction. These blessings are real and good, but fall short of salvation. They DO display the love and grace of God.

How does all this apply to “Lean?”

The Lean Business Culture is a COMMON GRACE system of attitudes, thought-habits, and self-control. Exercising these virtues in business reduces the destructive effect of human flaws and allows human strengths to be more fruitful. All people can carry out these common grace virtues to some degree. This is true whether or not they are people of faith. When a group of people DO apply the Lean virtues, they will become more productive and fruitful. They are likely to experience some of the “gladness” Paul and Barnabas spoke about in Acts.

Lean won’t save any one. Common grace isn’t saving grace. But as mentioned above in Acts 14:17, common grace is “satisfying” and is poured out broadly on the human race. It’s part of how God “leaves Himself a witness” to all people that He is good, gracious, and loving.

Lean is the best way I know to apply Common Grace in a business.