Prospering with Integrity Part 1

Hello Everyone,
I want to start out this week’s e-votion with a question. Is there such a thing as “PROSPERING WITH INTEGRITY?”
We have been looking at how to build strong family values by using the Ten Commandments. We are on the 8th Commandment this week -- "You shall not steal".
HOW DO WE STEAL?

It is amazing the number of ways a human being can think up to steal or rip off somebody else. I've listed seven but there are a lot more I could have put down. Today we are looking at four of the ways people steal.
1. Deceiving customers.

Three thousand years ago this was a problem. Amos 8:5, "When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?" skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales,

That sounds pretty current. When a repairman makes unnecessary repairs, a doctor makes unnecessary tests, a salesman skips over the fine print, when you sell a car and don't tell the problems with it that's called stealing.

2. By defrauding employers.
Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."

I'm not just talking about employee theft here where you pad your expense account, take home supplies, equipment or merchandise. I'm talking about when you waste time on the job.

The Bible calls that stealing. If somebody's paying you for your time and you: come in late, leave early, take three coffee breaks and a long lunch there isn't a whole lot of time left. God says that's stealing. Don't do it.

If something is in the break room or refrigerator, and you didn’t pay for it...somebody did! If you eat it or drink it that is stealing!

3. By delaying payments.

Lev. 19:13 “‘Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.” 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
If you've got some employees, suppliers or a friend, and you owe them some money don't say, "The check is in the mail," do it now.

4. By defaulting on loans.

Ps. 37:21 "The wicked man borrows and never pays back." A lot of people have no intention of paying back. The worst loans are made to friends and relatives. This applies to anything, not just bankruptcy, it is anything borrowed. Tools, skies, punch bowls, records, videos, etc. -- any of that kind of stuff.

What is in your garage that you need to return to someone? If you have a lot of

Start today by checking out how you deal with customers, your employer, people you owe, or loans you may owe.

And start today by making it right.

All For Jesus

Pastor Phil