RICH/UNETHICAL VS. POOR/HONEST Which is better, to be poor and honest or rich and unethical? If you find this hard to answer, keep watching.
In our previous lessons, we have examined the idea of success from the perspective of managing God’s resources, especially regarding money and finance.
We have also looked at some practical steps for managing money wisely.
We now examine some of the common pitfalls that come with earning money and how to avoid them.
In terms of success, we have established that we must place God first on our list and make a financial commitment to him. But it does not stop there; we must be productive. This requires that we become independent adults who work to earn a living.
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Inviting God’s Presence
Father, in the world in which we live, dishonesty and being unethical seems to be the norm. We ask that you forgive us for participating in such practices and give us a new heart that aims for honesty and ethics. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
The last phase of a “successful” life has the potential to be the most enjoyable. However, your enjoyment in the last phases of your life depends on the decisions of your earlier years. It depends on whether you made wise, honest, and ethical decisions or even encountered some unexpected life events.
Ideally, if you have made all good decisions and nothing catastrophic happened, then most likely your children have been raised to become independent adults, your home is paid for, your transportation needs are met, you have no lingering debts, and you have a sufficient income stream to provide for your senior family’s needs.
However, let’s face it, regardless of our intentions and how well we strategize to ensure we live happy, successful lives, things do happen.
We live in a fallen world in which sickness, tragedy, and calamity come with no notice, thereby interfering with our goals for a successful and happy life.
Nevertheless, the ability to make wise decisions comes from following God’s guidelines in his word, the Bible. God expects his children, as managers of his resources, to have higher ethical standards in every aspect of their lives, both personal and professional.
It is God’s desire that others have respect for them, not because they demand it but because of how they live their lives before others.
When we live ethical lives of honesty and integrity, people respect and trust us. The ability to live honest and ethical lives filled with integrity does not just happen. It comes from allowing God to lead and guide us. It demands that we surrender our wills to Him.
In Jeremiah 31:33, God promises to write his laws in our hearts, that is, in our minds.
33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (Jeremiah 31:33)
But He does not force his will on us; we must ask God to write His laws in our hearts and in our minds.
Then we will have great success in our work and in our homes. Because we recognize that success does not depend on the type of home we have, the car we drive, or the type of clothes we wear. Success, great success, depends on our ethical behavior and our good name. It depends on how we stand before God and in the sight of others.
Proverbs 22:1 tells us that.
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverb 22:1, NKJV).
The Book Education says the following regarding obtaining riches as appose to ethics and our good name.
That which lies at the foundation of business integrity and of true success is the recognition of God’s ownership. The Creator of all things, He is the original proprietor.
We are His stewards (His managers). All that we have is a trust from Him, to be used according to His direction.
This is an obligation that rests upon every human being. It has to do with the whole sphere of human activity. Whether we recognize it or not, we are managers, supplied from God with talents and facilities, and placed in the world to do a work appointed by Him.
To every man is given “his work” (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.—Education, pp. 137, 138.
Even though life at times may have been less than ideal, in the Bible, we read stories about managers who did an excellent job even under the most trying circumstance. Consequently, their bosses saw that God blessed the work of these men and women. And because of them, God also blessed their bosses.
Examples of good workers or managers are Ruth, Joseph, and Jacob.
Ruth ended up marrying Boaz, her boss, according to Ruth 4:13
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went into her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. (Ruth 4:13)
And when Jacob wanted to leave Laban, his uncle and father-in-law, Laban, begged him not to leave, according to Genesis 30:27
“ ‘Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake’ ” (Genesis. 30:27, NKJV).
We also see in Genesis 39:2–5 that the same thing happens to Joseph after his brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph’s new master, Potiphar, sees that God has blessed Joseph’s work. So, Potiphar rewards Joseph.
2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.
4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. (Split)
5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. (Genesis 39:2-5)
What did Joseph do that caused his master to favor him?
Joseph walked with God. He would not be persuaded to deviate from the path of righteousness and transgress God’s law by any inducements or threats. And when he was imprisoned and suffered because of his innocence, he meekly bore it without murmuring. His self-control, patience in adversity, and unwavering fidelity are left on record for the benefit of all who should live on the earth afterward.
When Joseph’s brethren acknowledged their sin before him (for them selling him into slavery), he freely forgave them and showed by his acts of benevolence and love that he harbored no resentful feelings for their former cruel conduct toward him.—Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 176.
The Bible commands us, I Corinthians 10:31
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31).
“Here is a principle that lies at the foundation of every act, thought, and motive. It requires the consecration of the entire being, both physical and mental. We must yield our lives to the control of the Spirit of God. Our unsanctified will and passions must be crucified. This may be regarded as difficult and severe work. Yet it must be done…You can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth you. . . .
…Cry earnestly: “O Lord, convert my innermost soul.” We can have an influence for good over other young people. when the God of peace sanctifies us completely, soul, body, and spirit. —Lift Him Up, p. 262 Adapted
The Life of Ruth, Jacob, Joseph, and others teach us that we must honor God with our money, our jobs, and everything else we do. God gives us the knowledge and strength to succeed in life.
Therefore, in our work and financial management and whatever we do, we should do it all to the glory of God.
1 Chronicle 29:11, 12 lets us know that He (God) is the One who gives us the knowledge and strength we need to be successful in this life.
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all.
12 Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. (1 Chronicles 29:11, 12).
When we follow the principle of God as written in the Bible, success follows, but not in how the world defines success and happiness but in how God defines success. Your good name!
Our goal is, therefore, to be ethical and maintain our good name. We need sound advice in being ethical, keeping our good name, and determining how to best manage the assets God has given us. There are many so call financial and management gurus out there. From whom should we seek advice?
Find out on Day 6: Seeking Godly Counsel
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