A management practice developed and made popular by Peter Drucker in the 1950’s is a practice called Management by Objectives (MBO). This is a process of defining aims within an organization so that managers and employees agree to objectives and understand what they need to do in the organization in order to contribute to accomplishment and success.

Management by Objectives

The concept was widely accepted and applied with significant success in large and small organizations across the United States and the world. Of course, no model is perfect, and in certain applications and circumstances inherent limitations in the theory manifest themselves. The concept in practice proved to produce distinct advantages as well as found prone to some distinct limitations.

Advantages

1. All levels of the organization become participants in management in the process of goal setting. This can increase employee empowerment resulting in increased commitment.
2. The process often improves communication and coordination. Frequent reviews and interactions between employees and managers facilitates relationships within the organization.
3. Clarity and synchronization of goals are enhanced.

Limitations

1. Goal performance can supersede the performance of the optimal work plan. The internal inertia of the MBO structure can inhibit agility and performance for the individual and the organization.
2. Importance of the contextual environment is under emphasized. Productivity generally accrues from concentration and unity of organizational focus. However, if changes occur outside of the organizational field of vision then efficiency and productivity gains can be for naught if competitive or other factors move the optimal goal post position.

The use of MBO is not the fashionable management technique it once was. In fact, it has significant detractors who argue the process is prone to misapplication and pitfalls. In his original work Dr. Drucker warned that a systemic view was required. If poor outcomes occur, they can most often be linked to failure to heed this warning. However, there is a fundamental issue of preference for management over leadership that is inherent in MBO.

While MBO doesn’t enjoy the popular status it once held it is a concept still in use in many forms and derivatives. It leaves a legacy felt far outside the bounds of formal MBO programs. Many principles, practices, techniques and tactics from MBO have been adopted into a wide range of current management practices. The concepts and lexicon of MBO have even migrated beyond organizational confines and become part of the greater American culture and language.

Church and Culture

Pastors and preachers instruct congregations on the gospel message and living in the Kingdom of God. They take spiritual and scriptural concepts and make them relevant to men and women today. That process places spiritual truth into secular culture. Sometimes it is clear where biblical teaching ends and application or worldly context begins, but not always. In some cases, with the historically strong influence which Christian faith has had on European and American cultures, concepts may come full circle. Some fundamental secular concepts, such as justice, originally developed as spiritual concepts in Judeo-Christian faith, tradition and practice. On the other hand, concepts not rooted in scripture can find their way into churches and mistaken as Christian spiritual concepts. The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is one such concept. No such verse exists in the bible. The expression can be tracked back to wholly pagan origin (Greek literature, later picked up by Algernon Sidney and Benjamin Franklin). While a secular concept may not intrinsically be anti-Christian it is important to distinguish what is inspired truth given by God as opposed to “knowledge” developed by men.

A message one may hear from a pulpit which sounds biblical deals with a Christian’s fruit and self-evaluation. Messages exhort listeners to examine the fruit in their lives. Such messages may teach such evaluation is useful in determining the vitality of one’s Christianity, making decisions, setting the course of their Christian walk, or determining whether or not one is even truly saved. These concepts may be helpful, useful and sound. In several ways the the focus on self evaluation and fruit sounds like a spiritual call to Management by Objectives — a call to Faith by Objectives. Where in scripture is this message given?

Fruit is a much discussed topic in the bible. It is mentioned 181 times. The New Testament mentions fruit 56 times, 38 of those in the gospels. It is mentioned 125 times in the Old Testament. Of the 181 times the word is in the bible nowhere is the pilgrim directed or counseled to take stock of one’s own fruit as an indicator of salvation. Fruit is most often referred to as coming from the Spirit, Son or Father; or a by-product of the Christian walk. Fruit in a very real sense is not a product of the branch, but of the whole plant which combines water, soil, air, nutrients and light to produce fruit.

To one who is not a Christian, perhaps exploring Christ, moving towards Christ, or playing at the edges of Christianity, self-examination of one’s own fruit can be particularly problematic. It is ironic but true that the sinner can be at their worst when they are seemingly at their best; and this is most true for the unsaved sinner that is almost but not actually a Christian. A false pregnancy (pseudocyesis) can be incredibly real. One can be very wrong about this matter of their own body. Even those observing one so deceived can likewise be deceived. Sin can similarly disguise itself to one on which it has its deadly grip.

We know that one of the sinners crucified alongside Christ at Calvary was saved. We can know this with certainty not because of that sinner’s fruit or what he did or said on his cross. Certainty comes from what Christ said from His cross that day. The thief on the cross could have been a pretender, a disingenuous schemer, or a man just saying words that sounded good. Are not men capable of such hypocrisy? Christ heard the words and knew the heart of the thief on the cross. We can have certainty that the thief on the cross was saved because we have Christ’s testimony; Christ validated that the sinner had indeed received God’s grace and redemption. It is not fruit that makes one a Christian — it is the heart — and whether His grace has changed the heart. We are instructed to bear fruit, and the scriptures discuss discernment regarding fruit in others.

““Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;” (Matthew 3:8,NASB95)

““You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? (Matthew 7:16, NASB95)

Observing fruit of others is a very different thing than one’s self. If someone judges another as redeemed or otherwise there is no eternal consequence whether the judge in this case is right or wrong. However, if one uses fruit as an indicator for oneself, and is wrong, their eternal destiny can be at risk. One can appear godly and show outward displays of faith — but not be a Christian. One may practice and profess Christianity — but not be a Christian. One may have great knowledge of God, His Son and the Holy Spirit — yet not know the Son or the blessings of the Spirit. Conviction is not conversion. Conscience is a good thing and can prompt morality — but where the heart is not renewed there is not salvation (Romans 10:10). Reformation is not regeneration (Titus 3:5). The Spirit may impart to one a form of restraining grace but if one does not accept Christ for who He is in gospel terms, God’s terms, then one is not a Christian. Some accept Christ but it is on their terms, that is not honest acceptance. Acceptance of an offer with limitations, conditions, caveats or redefined terms is not necessarily effective nor effectual. Honesty is essential in dealing with God. He knows the heart of each and every man or woman (Psalm 44:21).

““Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (Matthew 7:22–23, NASB95)

Scripture teaches that we may know we are saved (1 Cor 2:12, Col 4:12). But there is no single litmus test. Evidence is provided from multiple witnesses. Our spirits, hearts, and our minds can each be convinced. And each component of our being is healthier when in the light of the truth. God asks for our whole being. If God is changing us, He will be working on the whole man. If one looks to the heavens they declare God’s glory. If we look at the tiniest detail of biology we can see the wonders of life. If we look at the smallest bits of matter we see we can see the wonders of God’s creation. The child of God hears the call and voice of the Lord — we are not told we all listen for it or even recognize it — but the sheep of the Good Shepherd hear His voice (John 10:27). These are all good things. It is man’s condition that our senses, spirits and minds are subject to error. Error may originate internally; such as simple perceptive, associative or cognitive errors; or come as a result of external influences whether innocent or malevolent. However, we have many witnesses of God’s truth and love. Not just one. God’s plan seems to require each of us individually fit His plan to our specific situation. It is not that works are required, but as we put on the armor of God, some adjustment is necessary for a good fit. In other words, some assembly is required, batteries are included, but one does have to turn on the power switch and make some adjustments.

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13, NASB95)

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (Romans 7:4, NASB95)

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (Romans 2:28–29, NASB95)

Summary

Cultural business practices may not be the source of the religious concept of taking stock of one’s fruit. But where is the practice of introspection regarding one’s own fruit found in scripture? God’s Word discusses fruit in association with concepts of obedience; God’s will, provision and blessing; walking in the Spirit; seeking God; abiding in Christ; and living as a branch grafted onto and into the Vine of Life — but nothing akin to fruit and Faith by Objectives.

A practice of self-evaluation of fruit is not necessarily heretical, wrong or false. It may well be practical advice which produces visible benefits. However, it is not a practice explicitly called out in scripture. Biblical advice, that backed by the unchanging word of God, is not subject to limitations as is even the best advice of men. Applying man’s wisdom in life, even helpful advice, without proper consideration and understanding of the application, can fail to produce the intended result. In this case it can distract a Christian from seeking God and His Kingdom by occupying him with what may merely be good. Worse, it can distract a non-Christian from seeking God by occupying him in attempts to make himself worthy to God. That is not what scripture teaches and can lead to fools’ errands — Christ already finished all required works in this regard on our behalf.

Eternity is a long time. No decision is more important than how one will spend eternity. It is a serious error for someone unsaved to consider an outcome motivated by a healthy conscience (or perhaps even a deceitful heart) as fruit of a changed heart and evidence that their heart has been cleansed and changed by God. Unless corrected, that error will have eternal consequences.