Peer pressure pushes us sometimes toward compromises of integrity at the job, in our business dealings or even in internal family debates over how estates are divided.
I pray that you have avoided such compromises that promised the payoff of more wealth.
For you and I know that such wealth is both fleeting and far more costly in a spiritual and relationship sense than whatever tangible, temporary gain is found.
It is ironic that the wisdom of Proverbs 16:8 came from the materially richest human being in human history — King Solomon.
Yet, when Solomon wrote the words below in the winter of his life, he had learned painful lessons about the emotional and spiritual emptiness of unjustly fattened wallets.
“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” (Proverbs 16:8)
Sadly, his son Rehaboam didn’t learn the lesson and that failure contributed mightily to the national split and civil war that resulted, lasting at various levels for more than 300 years.
Yes, we’re surrounded by people who have nicer stuff than do we. And, yes, some of those things — or the dollars to buy them — were obtained in unethical ways.
What’s important to remember is that any item purchased with unjustly obtained money is too expensive in a spiritual sense.
For if acquiring a certain thing requires us to forfeit our integrity before God, we’re no different than someone who buys a snazzy speedboat on credit and races full throttle toward Niagara Falls.
I’d much rather enjoy a simple rowboat that carries me slowly but surely to the other side of life’s river.
Seek God first, my friend. Pursue righteousness.
God will meet your needs in the best way.
He promised such in Matthew 6:33.
As always, I love you
Martin
