God as Owner

Eric Snyder, 52

President, Snyder Manufacturing Corp.

I hold two core beliefs. The first is that our day-to-day decisions have eternal consequences. The second is that God owns Snyder Manufacturing--I just manage it. When establishing corporate policies and procedures, therefore, I look to the Bible for authoritative, and eminently practical, guidance.

In dealing with our employees, for example, I’m guided by Ephesians 6:9, which commands us not to threaten those who depend upon us for their livelihood, and Colossians 4:1, which commands us to provide them with what is right and fair. As a result, equitable treatment and equitable wages form the bedrock of our employment policies.

In our dealings with our customers and vendors, we also look to the Bible, which exhorts us to embody the Word and spread the Gospel. To embody the Word to our customers, we manufacture quality products, competitively priced, and we honor our delivery deadlines, sometimes at great cost to our company. To spread the Gospel, we put a small tract in with our products. We make cleaning products, and this tract begins by referring to the stain in every human heart that only the blood of Christ can erase. To embody the Word and spread the Gospel to our vendors, we pay our bills on time and enclose a copy of “Good News” with each check.

Our policies have the enthusiastic support of our employees and everyone we do business with, Christian and non-Christian alike. They also give our company strength and durability. These are the successes I share as one of the leaders of a local group of an international ministry called Fellowship of Companies for Christ. Our purpose is to equip and encourage Christian business owners to operate their businesses and conduct their personal lives according to biblical principles in pursuit of Christ’s eternal objectives.