There Are No Greedy Corporations

In the wake of the AIG bonus controversy, there has been much talk about greedy corporations. In fact, I did a Google search on "greedy corporations" (in quotes, so as to find only those two words together as a phrase). There were 58,100 results when I looked but there are sure to be more tomorrow. The other day at lunch, one of my coworkers used the phrase "greedy corporations".

Let me say something that is contrary to common thinking: There are no greedy corporations. In fact, no institution can be greedy. Only people are capable of greed. Why is this important? I think we too often want to depersonalize greed, selfishness, or any other form of evil, attributing it to institutions rather than people. It is popular to assume that people are basically good and are corrupted by the institutions that facilitate evil behavior when, in fact, amoral institutions are simply populated with immoral people. I have to confess that I've been guilty of thinking this way sometimes, thinking that politicians are somehow corrupted by Washington, as if the environment in the city were somehow making good people bad.

Do you agree or disagree? I'd like to hear.

As Good Friday approaches, it is a reminder to us that we are all greedy, all selfish, and yes, even all evil. But it is also a reminder of something greater. The necessary punishment for that evil by a God who is holy and cannot stand evil, was lovingly taken on by His Son so that we wouldn't have to receive that punishment. My pastor just gave a excellent sermon called Why Did Jesus Have Die? Check it out if you get a chance.