Spirituality: The Contribution of Christian Ethics in Economy

The development of technology become the influential factors in industrial revolution which will lead to a new economic order as response of values changing, and one of them is ethical value in economic world based on Christian faith.

This topic attracted thirty-six students from various regions in Indonesia who study in Yogyakarta to attend Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta training on February 23-25, 2018 in Satya Nugraha Hotel with a theme Spirituality: The contribution of Christian Ethics in Economy. Participants were expected to find the form of Christian ethics in current economic world and able to formulate action plan to bring justice and welfare of society and environment.

Several experienced persons in their field facilitated the training, such as Ariani Narwatujati, S.S., M.Pd., Director of Stube-HEMAT challenged participants to improve their quality to compete in international level, then Dr. Murti Lestari, M.Si, a lecturer at Economics Faculty of Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) revealed the significant economy development bringing to digital economy. Technology is not only for information systems but also a platform for economy activity, trade, payment and other fields. Today most people can access the digital economy and utilize it. The mastery of knowledge and technology will be the basis for the development of digital economy that will increase affectivity and prosperity. However, people must be wary against technology-based crime.

Rev. Yahya Wijaya, Th.M., Ph.D., a lecturer at Theology Faculty of Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) explained that currently theology and economy can not be separated but colaborate to make welfare. It needs ethical understanding of each person to bring together the philosophies of both, such as 1) Economy must be centered on God as the true owner of everything. 2) economy must be human-oriented, serving people, answering human needs, promoting equality and justice. 3) economy should value performance, produce good quality, give safe guaranty, have innovative side, perform efficient & reliable, and also have sustainable products and services. 4) economy must be environmentally-minded by paying attention to the balance of creation, using limited natural resources carefully, and 5) economy must serve community, serve all stakeholders to build a stable, peaceful, and sustainable society.

Then, the participants divided themselves into three groups to explore alternative economic systems. Group one made discussion with Sudarwanto, one of managers at Credit Union ‘Cindelaras Tumangkar’ to learn financial cooperation and community empowerment. Group two explored ‘Sharia’ cooperation with Iwa Khairuttaqwa, head of ‘Shariah’ Cooperation at Tamwil Muhammadiyah Agency (BTM) Surya, and group three dialogued with Rev. Harjono and organic farmers in Jodhog, Bantul who had a vision to be dignified farmer through organic farming, restoring rice fields, providing healthy food for the family, having self-reliance in seeds & fertilizer and having marketing harvest and maintaining interfaith brotherhood.

Participants’ insight on ethics was growing better with the presence of business practitioners, drg. Pipin Ikawati (Fresh Dental), Daniel D. Nugraha (DN rental heavy equipment) and D. Sugiarto (Tosan Offset), who opened the rigors of business world to face challenges and competition, but they kept doing their business with discipline, learning and growing, trusting a work team and paying attention to employees and consumers' condition.

The participants' interaction with ethical values provoked their thoughts about their surrounding social condition and environment and hometown that finally stimulate ideas of actions. Ram Hara, a Janabadra University student from Sorong, West Papua was interested to share during her campus break how the rapid development of technology gives benefits for the progress of local region. Yenlis Mencanda, or Cindy, had a mind of cocoa plantation in her hometown, Pandolo, Poso, Central Sulawesi. She was interested to make it more productive. The use of cocoa begins from its beans as raw material of chocolate and there are many other derivatives of cocoa that can be produced. Cocoa plantation area can also be arranged in such a way that is interesting to visit. Maria M. Tefa, a student from Malaka, NTT studying environment at Technology Institute of Yogyakarta (ITY) was encouraged to share the idea of independent and organic farming in her village. So far, the farmers can not determine the price of the harvests and always get low price for their product. Meanwhile, Chindiani Rawambaku, a student from East Sumba, NTT studying at UST revealed that she got new enlightenment and insight about digital economy and how to do business that also cares for others.

Young people and students should be smart to use technology to improve their self-quality and to realize ethical values in economy for the welfare and justice in society and environment.  Thus, what is your idea now, young man? (TRU).