Never Misrepresent Your Product
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. Romans 12:17
Eventually lies are exposed. The truth will always surface. ‘He that covers his sins shall not prosper’ (Proverbs 28:13). Anyone who does business with you wants to know the truth—the whole truth. Jesus had the greatest product on earth: salvation. He offered the human race an opportunity to have a relationship with God. He even promised them a home in heaven. But He never painted a distorted picture. After talking about the advantages of following Him, He spelled out the challenges. ‘You will be hated of all nations for My Name’s sake’ (Matthew 24:9). Jesus offered people more than a pie-in-the-sky philosophy. He believed in preparing people for every possible situation that could arise. In an age when bankers and businessmen twist the truth to enhance the bottom line, God calls on you to be honest, even to your own hurt. If you represent God, and if you want to experience His blessing, you must do business His way. An honest relationship is worth more than a hundred sales. Your integrity will be remembered longer than your product. We as a nation need to go back to what made us great in the first place. Thomas Jefferson said, ‘The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.’ In the Bible, God’s people were largely an agricultural community. So God laid it on the line: ‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity’ (Leviticus 19:35). John Parnell wrote, ‘It matters not what you do, make a nation or a shoe. For he who does an honest thing, in God’s pure sight is ranked a king.’
Prayer
Heavenly Father, in all my dealings with others help me show truth and integrity so I am reflecting You in all I say and do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
In the subject devotion, you said, “In an age when bankers and businessmen twist the truth to enhance the bottom line…………….”.
I am a Christian and a former COO who routinely did business with our bankers. Neither I nor our bankers, to the best of my knowledge, ever “twisted the truth” for any reason, let alone, “to enhance the bottom line”.
However, together, we employed several thousand people, we paid our taxes, we donated, as individuals and as companies, to several charities, churches, and individuals needing our help. As a group, we are volunteers, elders, church council members, ushers, communion distributers, care givers, and yes, sinners.
But, we don’t deserve to be lumped into the culturally popular stereotype you used in the quote above. Frankly, in my mind, that quote diminishes your message, your organization, and you.
A public apology would be appropriate. Let’s get back to a message of the Good Lord.
Jim
Apology
In my devotion on 11/28/2014 I made a statement “In an age when bankers and businessmen twist the truth to enhance the bottom line…………….”.
I was wrong in making a general statement as such. Many, and I dare say the vast majority of bankers and businessmen and women are fine Christian and upright people who volunteer and serve in their churches and communities. I apologize for implying differently and ask for forgiveness to those I have offended. I also want to thank Christian brother Jim Anderson for taking the time to email me this concern. That is what Christians are to do – confront their brother when they see an error. Thank you Jim.
Tim Hetzner