HONESTY IN THE WORKPLACE

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY 29, 2022

TOPIC: HONESTY IN THE WORKPLACE

BY T. O. BANSO

“Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are His work” (Proverbs 16:11 New King James Version).

David is credited with the writing of Psalm 51, when the prophet Nathan came to confront him with the sin of adultery he had committed with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his soldiers. He had organized the killing of Uriah after he discovered that she was pregnant and married her.

David was not defensive. He admitted before Nathan that he had sinned against the LORD (2 Samuel 12:13). One of the things David said in Psalm 51 about God is “You desire truth in the inward parts” (verse 6a New King James Version). In other words, “You desire honesty from the heart” (New Living Translation).

Speaking about the sins of Judah, Jeremiah said, “O LORD, are not Your eyes on the truth?” (Jeremiah 5:3a New King James Version). The New Living Translation says, “LORD, you are searching for honesty.” Honesty should not be a virtue that children alone are taught, but one that everyone should imbibe and practise till death. Unfortunately, some parents demand that their children should be honest, but they are dishonest, especially in the workplace.

God is concerned about honesty generally, but I want to focus on honesty in the workplace. Many economies have been ruined because of dishonesty in the workplace. Many companies have collapsed or are not prosperous because some of their managers or personnel are dishonest.

There are employees, managers, and Chief Executives who are dishonest in the management of government resources or the resources of their organizations. Many people, including supposed Christians, are dishonest in their relationship with their customers or clients.

Is it not sad if there is no difference between a Christian and others in the workplace, especially in terms of honesty? If a Christian is not honest – honest in money matters, with customers or clients, with figures, etc. what Christianity is he professing? Jesus said we, Christians, should let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

One of the things John the Baptist addressed in his preaching, as he called people to repentance, was honesty in the workplace. He answered appropriately the crowd who asked him what they should do. “Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than what is appointed for you’” (Luke 3:12-13 New King James Version). Did you see that? He told them to show honesty by not collecting more than what was due. John knew they were guilty of corrupt practices.

When the soldiers asked him what they should do, John replied, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages” (verse 14b New King James Version). Many countries are still facing the issue of dishonesty which John the Baptist addressed in his message.

Every self-employed person, public servant, or employee in a private organization who engages in corrupt practices, including extortion, bribery, and other forms of abuse of office should learn from what John said and stop these practices. They are inconsistent with the new life in Christ Jesus. John said everyone should be content with his pay. If a job necessitates that someone must be dishonest, it is better to quit the job than go to hellfire. Dishonesty is lying, and all liars will end in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur (Revelation 21:8).

1 Timothy 6:6-10 warns, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (New King James Version).

God is not just interested in how you run your business or how you perform your duties in the office, He demands of you honesty in your dealings with your customers, clients, or those you render services to. “Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are His work” (Proverbs 16:11 New King James Version). The Message paraphrases the verse thus: “God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business.” Also, Proverbs 11:1 says, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight” (New King James Version). In other words, “The LORD hates cheating, but he delights in honesty” (New Living Translation).

Don’t cheat by using dishonest weights and measures. “You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure, that your days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who behave unrighteously, are an abomination to the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 25:15-16 New King James Version). Ezekiel 45:10 also emphasizes the use of honest weights and scales. Be honest in your dealings.

This is what the LORD says in Amos 8:4-6, “Hear this, you who swallow up the needy, and make the poor of the land fail, saying: “When will the New Moon be past, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may trade wheat? Making the ephah small and the shekel large, falsifying the scales by deceit, that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals — Even sell the bad wheat?” (New King James Version).

God demands honesty in the workplace. Don’t demand or take bribes; be content with your salary or income. “And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous” (Exodus 23:8 New King James Version). Deuteronomy 16:19 gives a similar warning. “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous” (New King James Version).

Isn’t it disheartening that some take the proceeds of corrupt practices to their various places of worship and give them as offerings, tithes, and seeds? But the justice of God cannot be mocked. He won’t receive or bless such money, though it may increase the income of their places of worship.

It is the blessing of the LORD that makes one rich and He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). Nobody can truly prosper at the end of the day by engaging in fraudulent practices at work. Anyone who claims to be a Christian but steals to increase his income should stop it and engage in godly and legitimate ventures. “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good” (Ephesians 4:28a New King James Version).

Christians who demand or collect bribes before they do what they are paid for or to do what is wrong should stop it. Those who inflate contracts, divert public funds, or convert office property to private use should repent before it is too late. Furthermore, there should be no dishonesty in the use of time meant for office work. Be honest in the workplace; be honest everywhere.

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: I repent of all forms of dishonesty, especially in the workplace. Henceforth, I shall conduct my business or perform my duties with honesty. Holy Spirit, convict all sinners and let them give their lives to Jesus that they may live a holy life and be honest in their dealings, including being honest in the workplace.

(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org