In 1977, Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) published the first issue of Concern, the predecessor to Solutions, the current e-newsletter. In Concern’s first issue, the article “Safety and Its Spiritual Implications” presented an interesting look at the biblical implications of conducting one’s life and activities from a safety point-of-view. Now 38 years later, Solutions asks Arthur Blinci, ARM’s Assistant to the President for Strategic Risk Management, if these principles have changed in the cyber age of the 21st century.
1977—Life implies ethics: the exploration of the various implications of our daily acts, both in relationship to ourselves and others. Virtually every facet of our experience is in some way related to ethical considerations. For the Christian, ethics grow out of a deep sense of relatedness to God. The Scriptural picture of man is that of a “steward,” one who serves Another by holding His possessions in trust. As stewards, our accountability to the Master precludes casual or irresponsible actions.
Safety is an ethical issue. At the first incidence of one man’s causing injury and death to another, the responsible person protested to God: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9), attempting to face down the obvious. The Bible says that no man lives unto himself (Rom. 14:7), and that at the base of all harmful acts are wrong attitudes (see Matt. 5:22, 1 John 3:15). The ethic of love, which permeates the gospel message, makes it impossible for the committed Christian to take a casual attitude toward the lives and safety of others, or, in fact, himself.
Accidents and Safety
A popular concept is that an accident is some sort of unexpected event—something that just “happens.” Research, however, contradicts this viewpoint, and even brings into question the very word “accident.” What is commonly thought of as an “accident” is, in fact, a complex series of events (usually preventable), which leads predictably to injury or death.Safety, on the other hand, is the result of a lifestyle carefully considered and reflecting comprehension of the ethical and spiritual implications of precipitous actions. Education on protective measures, for example, often helps to conserve human and material resources by identifying common daily hazards and outlining methods for minimizing their danger. But beyond this, only spiritual renewal can overcome the fundamental conditions, which predispose us to unsafe patterns.
Anger, indifference, selfishness, and exhibitionism are but a few examples of the attitudes which lead to destructive behavior—attitudes which require spiritual resolution.
Biblical Implications
A Christian needs to consider seriously the implications of Paul’s reminder that we are “the temple of the Holy Ghost,” and that we are not our own, but are “bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). When we allow unsafe physical situations to continue uncorrected, or relationships to remain fractured and volatile, we have neglected spiritual responsibilities, and the destructive events, which follow must be traced directly to our indolence.The broad implications of the sixth commandment, “thou shalt not kill,” come into play when an individual’s failure to order his life properly results in his own or someone else’s “accidental” death, thus removing an unrepentant sinner from the possibility of being reached by the Holy Spirit’s convicting power, or denying a Christian further service to God. In either case, premature death is a tragedy of wide ethical and spiritual implications.
The proverb, “Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely” (Prov. 1:33), gets to the heart of the whole safety issue. Spiritual responsiveness to God is not limited to devotional activities, donations, and witnessing. It means listening to and acting on the perspectives God brings to all facets of life. The truly faithful Christian will be the safe Christian; as a steward, he will make his life available to his Master for as long as possible and in the best possible condition. He will avail himself of every opportunity to prepare his environment for safe living, and will make the transforming impact of a vital spiritual communion his first priority.
2015 UPDATE From the Author
2015—Throughout the 80-year history of Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM), there has always been a strong emphasis on the timeless principles of stewardship in how we manage the assets and activities entrusted to our care. To read this article in the first issue of Concern was not surprising since it goes to the very heart of risk management that prevents loss.Today, ARM still has a primary focus on safety and loss prevention. In recent years, we have seen numerous cyber-attacks and ethical scandals that have impacted the global business community. Likewise, our church can be victimized by these same exposures to loss. For this reason, Solomon’s counsel: “In a multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14, NKJV, is still applicable today in all congregations. As we continue to work together, we can share ideas and resources on how to keep the denomination’s churches and schools safe. This teamwork concept embodies the motto of Adventist Risk Management, Inc.–“Our ministry is to protect your ministry!”
This year, ARM celebrates 20 years of the weekly e-newsletter, Solutions, with the series Solutions Classic. Once a month we will publish a throwback piece from the Solutions archives and share the difference between risk management then and risk management now.
