Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 (CSB)
Nearly 30 years ago, I had a business acquaintance, who was a leader in his church. He was an outspoken Christian in the workplace. One day he shared a plan with me regarding a business idea. While the proposal may not have been illegal, it raised certain ethical questions. When I questioned the ethics involved, His response was, “business is business.”
This man had no problem separating his Christian faith from his business practices. Is this duality valid for a true Christ-follower? Does the “Golden Rule” apply outside the walls of the church? Can there be success using the ethics of Jesus remembering that he told us: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 (NLT)
There is no question that God calls us to live and interact in this world. But our mission is not to make the most money, or to have success as the world defines it. Our commission is to preach the gospel and make disciples, and this requires interaction with the world.
Life Is a Paradox
Jesus told the parable of the rich man and his steward (Luke 16:1-13). When the rich man became aware of malfeasance on the part of the manager, he summoned him to give an account. When the man became aware that he was going to lose his position, he made deals with the debtors for pennies on the dollar.
While we can question the ethics of this course of action, the master praised the unrighteous manager because he acted shrewdly, ensuring his future security. Jesus went on to tell his listeners to be faithful with earthly riches. He went on to say: And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? Luke 16:11 (NLT)
There is a difference, however, between handling worldly possessions with wisdom, and making the acquisition of wealth our goal. Jesus told us: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Matthew 6:31–32 (NLT)
God blesses and provides for his children. But when blessings and wealth become the objective, we lose sight of what really matters. In Proverbs 30, we read the words of Agur, son of Jakeh:
O God, I beg two favors from you;
let me have them before I die.
First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Proverbs 30:7–9 (NLT)
Without Compromise
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Daniel 6:10 (NLT)
Daniel had a faith in God that was real. When his enemies devised a trap for him, he did not back down or try to hide. If he had not been sincere and devout, he could have rationalized that it would be better for him to hide behind closed doors for a while. Soon 30 days would be over, and he could resume his normal routine.
It can be easy to find a justification for compromise. Paul writes to Timothy: Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, Titus 3:1 (CSB). In matters pertaining to civics, this is certainly true, but there is a higher authority for believers.
In the early church, the apostles were brought before the authorities, who demanded that they stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus:
Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19–20 (CSB)
We are ambassadors for Christ. We are called to represent him before this world. We do this by living our lives as shining lights in the midst of the darkness. Yes, it may cost us everything, but in the words of the song, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.”
Live with Integrity
The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. Proverbs 10:29 (NLT)
Do not be deceived. Living successfully in this world does not require that we adopt the tools and methods of the world. There is a difference between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom from above (James 3:13-18).
As we fight the good fight, we use spiritual weapons, not the ones that the world uses. Like Daniel, our faith will be tried and tested so that it can be proven to be true and real:
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
We live our lives in the “real world,” before the watching eyes of people where we work, live, and even worship. Our objective is a heavenly reward. We resist the temptation to compromise or conduct ourselves in a manner that is not worthy of the high calling that we have in Christ Jesus. We trust that God will take care of us more than our own cleverness.
Steve Ekeroth