The American Constitution stands as a commanding testament to freedom—the freedom to express oneself and the freedom of the market to flourish. Within this freedom, however, exist rules and guidelines that underscore authority. To thrive in any free market, help is often essential, which inevitably grants some authority over others. This is akin to a contract where humane treatment is a must, albeit compared to the concept of slavery.
Slavery isn’t always the straightforward ‘forced to work’ narrative we imagine. Whether millions or zero dollars are exchanged, the essence is the same: work done under duress, absent of choice. If we delve into ancient times, like a slave living with Abraham, or fast forward to the present, where living paycheck to paycheck almost echoes the constraints of previous servitude—choices are often illusory when basic needs consume entire incomes, a divine design questioning true freedom.
Consider modern scenarios: mandatory work conditions, like taking a vaccine for job security. Many faced no real choice but to comply. Their financial responsibilities—a family, a mortgage—left them with diminished freedom. Some might say leaving is a choice, but is it, really? Loss of financial security can feel like entrapment. It’s an illustration of America’s hallmark spirit of dreaming beyond current means. The divine design of authority in this society is the responsibility of the powerful over whom they employ.
When you gather a team—a collective depending on you—you wield a certain authority. In this divine design, synonymous with a modern ‘slavery,’ how do we responsibly manage others’ livelihoods? It’s about paving paths toward freedom, perhaps through retirement plans or enabling eventual independence. Mentor them, so they attain enough to venture independently, a righteous act if done with integrity and support.
