https://odb.org/MY/2022/12/28/in-all-our-dealings
One characteristic of us as believers is to have integrity and Godly sincerity in our dealings with others – our friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and the public at large. Integrity in the sense that we are not out to cheat anyone. In fact, we think of others when we do something, not just ourselves or our interests or our benefit only. But it’s even more than all that. Integrity means having a clear conscience in all our dealings, that we do the right thing. We give what’s fair and due. We don’t over bargain. We leave something on the table like God did for the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners at the harvest fields. Everyone needs to earn a living. Everyone has a family to take care of, mouths to feed, bills to pay. Everyone needs to save for a rainy day, for their old age.
If we are in business, we earn a margin that’s fair, reflecting our effort put in but also to compensate for the down times, the stock losses due to expiry or pilferage or times we had to sell below cost to clear our shelves to make room for new stocks arriving. At most times, prices are dictated by the market, for which we have no or little control. Even a near monopolistic large broadcasting organisation where I used to work for many years has to consider market forces in the pricing of their consumer offerings. Gone are the days when we could raise prices to turn in a comfortable margin as customers will nowadays not think too much in leaving. Times have somewhat changed. Content consumption patterns to choices in the market.
We are not perfect. Sometimes, we fall. Sometimes, we don’t do the best we can. But we know whenever we fall short, our conscience tells us. The Holy Spirit convicts us. We are not clueless, and neither can we pretend we do not know. I think when it comes to integrity and Godly sincerity, we need to be honest with God and ourselves. If we fail, we do better the next time. Don’t ever be immune to the voice in our hearts, to God speaking to us. Don’t be indifferent or have a hardened heart. Always have a heart that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. We may get away with one or two indiscretions, but in the long run, it is better to be true to God and trust God for our future. Let the Lord take care of us rather than take matters into our own hands and have short-term gains. Scam someone and get away with RM2,000 and that may be a lot to us now, but in years to come, we could be earning RM200,000 annually and consistently with the LORD on our side, with us having integrity and Godly sincerity.
Ronnie's Thoughts 