In our day, there is an overwhelming obsession with profit-making, and the pursuit of temporal gain has caused many people to stumble over the things that will one day perish. Now, although in the scriptures we are counseled by Christ to be faithful stewards in the management of unrighteous mammon, yet it is not His desire, that we accumulate “False Profits” using methods and practices that His word does not approve. However, it’s important that we harbor a balanced, scriptural view of business practices, for in the parable of the talents, the unfaithful steward was punished not because he had incurred any loss, but because he refused to multiply his God-given talents.
The Lord in that parable had not suffered any loss whatsoever, because the unjust steward had kept his master’s goods safe and sound. But it’s not good enough for us to preserve our material blessings, as well as our God-given talents, in good and regular standing. God expects of us very large returns on His investments, therefore, as we review every year that passes us by, we should be able to trace from point A to where we are currently, a steady stream of improvements, additions, and multiplications in all things.
For instance, if we were instrumental in leading two people to Christ last year, this year we should bring in no less than four. If our outreach efforts to the community was centered in one or two zip codes last year, God expects us to penetrate new frontiers this year, pressing the battle to the very gates of hell. But for us to be content with the status quo is a counterproductive mindset, and is rebuked in the words of Christ when He states that whosoever is not gathering with Him is actually scattering.
The same expectation applies to our finances too, for it is not the will of God that year after year after year should find His people debt-ridden, or worst yet, sinking deeper into the financial snares which satan sets for souls. As Christians we should be a people on the move, not backwards, nor stagnant, but rather in forward motion, facing new challenges and overcoming new hurdles, and penetrating new frontiers, and reaching for the stars. Never should the possibility failure prevent us from trying, for with God, all things are possible.
Those who will be translated to heaven without ever seeing death are those who through the grace and merits of Christ have maximized every God- given opportunity. They are representative of the full potential that can be realized in every line by the sacrifice made to restore us to perfection. And
thus, the servant of The Lord offers us counsel on the mindset which should be both cherished and cultivated in achieving those goals. Let’s read:
[Christ’s Object Lessons pp. 331>332] Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies.
We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected. Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress.
Let nothing hinder you. Fate has not woven its meshes about any human being so firmly that he need remain helpless and in uncertainty. Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. The breaking down of one barrier will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press with determination in the right direction, and circumstances will be your helpers, not your hindrances.
Thus it is, that with the correct objective in mind, we turn to the issue of false profits, because in our efforts to maximize, we must be very careful not to violate the rules of engagement. One of the points we should always bear in mind, is that God is a very practical, down to earth God, and thus, the blessing of The Lord upon the works of our hands does not preclude the possibility of any loss. On the contrary, the Christian must make allowance for some losses, whenever the situation might warrant it.
The reason for this is that there are certain methods and practices employed by the secular world which we cannot adopt in preventing or retrieving losses. For instance, the Christian cannot lay in wait for a person who owes them cash, complete with a brand new machete from Home Depot. This cannot, and should not be done, for it goes contrary to the scriptural grain, neither should we be found calling our debtors in the wee hours of the morning, nor should we be making hundreds of harassing phone calls as is currently done by secular debt collectors.
And if for some unavoidable reason, there arises a situation where outstanding debts owed cannot be retrieved in a Christ-like manner, we should have the capacity to let it go, without going under financially. Some of us may not have considered this point previously, and as a result might not have made provision to incur any loss. Let’s read:
And as a result, if a job, or one contract goes sour, then we are faced with the dire prospect of having no food on the table, or running into the red. As Christians, God desires that we position ourselves intelligently in this world, so as to avoid as far as is possible, the various snares that are laid for the feet of the unwary, for we should not be ignorant of satan’s devices. Let’s read:
Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Thus, our case study for this afternoon will be taken from the Laban and Jacob model, from which we may learn a plethora of very valuable lessons which can then be applied to real life situations. Let’s read:
Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
5 And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
6 And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
Changing his wages ten times was not the problem, the problem was that the changes were made so that Jacob would earn less for the same amount of labor, for if the ten changes had always resulted in extra funds to Jacob, we would never have read of any such complaint by him. Thus, this action on the part of Laban, of trying to deliberately manipulate the recompense for Jacob’s labor, so as to maximize his own profits at the expense of his employee is what constitutes “False Profits”.
Now, although we may not have considered it, the “False Profits” of Laban’s time are still in existence today, albeit in a new, recycled format, for there are many multinational corporations which have indeed adopted the Laban model towards their employees. And as Christians, we should never be found using similar methods, or practices, for the scriptures do issue a pretty stern warning against all who tamper with principles that are contrary to sound doctrine in these matters. Let’s read:
James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
Donald Trump’s proposal to bring back millions of jobs to America from overseas, is easier said than done, for upon close investigation, it is observed that Americans wouldn’t stoop that low to work at the starvation prices that those in other countries are paid to build and produce the many products we have come to enjoy, right here in the land of the free. Let’s read:
China-India Wage Comparison: Posted on May 10, 2013 by Asia Briefing.
May 10 – UBS, a global financial services company, has recently published its exhaustive global summary of prices and earnings as part of a report released once every three years. Using their listed global benchmark of New York as a standard for comparison, we have extrapolated the data UBS produced on China and India regarding wages and salaries.
Car mechanics are defined as having completed an apprenticeship, having five years of experience and of approximately 25 years of age. New York based mechanics earn an average of nearly 25 times of what their counterparts in India make, despite Indians working a work week that is nearly 20 hours longer.
Shanghai mechanics log into and out of work at roughly the same times as their New York counterparts for about 20 percent of their pay.
Gross annual income of building laborers:
Building laborers are defined as single, unskilled or semi-skilled laborers aged 25. Laborers in India earned less than a quarter of those in Shanghai, making India the new go to area for low cost workers.
The workers in these poorer countries are no doubt grateful for the work, for they often have nowhere else to turn. And yes, it is true that they have also entered into legally binding contracts with their foreign employers, to work for starvation prices. However, in the sight of God, daylight robbery is taking place, for those who take advantage of the poor on account of their misfortunes are just as guilty in the sight of God as are Bernie Madoff and the CEO of Enron.
An illegal immigrant who does not have a work permit may agree to do hard labor at a greatly reduced cost, and he may never say a word about being mistreated, because of the fear of being reported to the authorities, yet he suffers on in silence, whilst his employer may think he is doing him a favor. This also is a manifestation of false profits, and it is recorded in the books of heaven as grand theft. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs And Prophets pp. 308>309] “Thou shalt not steal.” Both public and private sins are included in this prohibition. The eighth commandment condemns man-stealing and slave dealing, and forbids wars of conquest. It condemns theft and robbery. It demands strict integrity in the minutest details of the affairs of life. It forbids overreaching in trade, and requires the payment of just debts or wages. It declares that every attempt to advantage oneself by the ignorance, weakness, or misfortune of another is registered as fraud in the books of heaven.
Isaiah 59:12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against”.. those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
Genesis 30:27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.
31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.
That question of Laban’s presents another common problem with false profits, for he suggests gifts in exchange for hard labor. This is the reason why Jacob answered the way he did, because business, as it pertains to the employer and his employee is not about giving, but rather about earning, and as such the issue of just recompenses figures prominently into the equation, instead of a freewill offering that is subject to changing feelings and circumstances. Let’s read:
Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
Jacob in this instance negotiates for himself not the thoroughbreds, but rather those that are speckled and spotted, leaving the best with Laban. But Laban is not content with this, even though he agrees to it, but instead goes about to set in motion, a ploy by which Jacob will end up working for him for free. To ask, or expect an employee to work for free is thus another manifestation of false profits. Let’s read:
Genesis 30:35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
But Jacob cannot be let off the hook entirely, for although The Lord blessed and multiplied that which he earned, yet there is a grey area which needs to be addressed, for it touches on the issue of retaliation for wrongs committed against our own person, when the problem of false profits arises. If for example, an employer is treating his employee unfairly, by systematically defrauding him, is it then God’s ideal will for Christians to continue to seek the best interest of that employer, or should we adopt subterfuge methods to bring back balance to the equation? Let’s read:
Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.
41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.
The Bible teaches us not to respond in kind when we are treated unfairly, and even though in Jacob’s experience, his actions might be excused by some on the grounds of fairness, yet The Bible teaches us a more excellent way to deal with such problems. The following passages may not be easy to swallow, but it is the ideal will of God, and the remnant who live in these last days of earth’s history will be found living within the context of God’s ideals, not merely His circumstantial will. Let’s read:
Proverbs 24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
For reference purposes, the Christian employer will take several pertinent issues into consideration when he is determining the hourly or weekly rate of his employees. [1] He will first bring the golden rule into his transactions, and thereby will place himself in his employees’ shoes, to see if he would like to be treated in the same manner that he intends to deal with his employees. Let’s read:
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
[2] A Christian employer will not merely seek to pay the minimum wage, if it is not commensurate with the average standard of living, or if it will make it virtually impossible for his workers to subsist on such an income. What is legal and right in the courts of the land, is often at great odds with the principles of the gospel, and thus, the issue of fairness, should always trump what might be legally permissible under Caesar’s law. Let’s read:
Leviticus 19:13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him”….
35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have”….
37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord.
[3] False advertisements, in which goods and services are offered, but do not live up to the stated expectation must be avoided at all costs. In addition to this, any attempt to undersell one’s competitors for the sole purpose of increased market share is a violation of the law which states thou shalt not steal and as such is another manifestation of false profits.
In closing, the Lord would have us understand that His kingdom is not of this world, and even thou we have to put food on the table for our families, yet it is of the utmost importance that we live, not just for the here and now, but for the great hereafter. We end with a passage of scripture which outlines God’s ideal in some measure, for His people, and we hope and pray that we will become hearers and doers of the word. Let’s read:
Psalm 15:1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. God bless!