Faith Dilemmas for Marketplace Christians
When You're Offered a Windfall
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.
—Proverbs 10:9
GRAHAM Tucker, founder of a workplace chaplaincy in Toronto, has a suggestion for Christian workers. He urges them to conjure up a picture of what the kingdom of God is like, then imagine their workplace as a little corner of that kingdom. How would people treat each other in such a place? How would staff treat clients or customers? How would they treat the competition? What feeling would visitors get as they entered such an office? Would they sense it was a place where Christ reigns?
Many ethical dilemmas become simpler if we realize that when we go to work, we carry God’s kingdom with us.
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In their book, The Power of Ethical Management (Morrow, 1988), Kenneth Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale tell a story something like this one.
Competition was fierce and margins were thin. Warren, division sales manager for a large manufacturing company, was feeling pressure to show improvement. He needed new sales blood, someone aggressive, with a lot of experience and savvy.
When Kent walked into his office, Warren thought his prayers had been answered. The man was perfect for the job. He had great sales numbers and knew the industry inside and out after several years with a major competitor. Here was Mr. Right.
However, at the end of the interview, the candidate did something that sucked the wind out of Warren’s sails. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small computer diskette. The diskette, he explained, was full of vital data about his previous employer, including customer profiles, marketing strategies, and details of a major contract for which Warren’s company was also bidding. Whoever hired Kent would gain a wealth of useful information.
After Kent left, Warren struggled with conflicting emotions. He was infuriated by the blatant offer, as well as chagrined that this excellent candidate turned out to be someone he wouldn’t want to work with. He was also painfully aware that he had been offered a windfall. He had no doubt Kent could produce important accounts. He wondered if he could afford to pass up the opportunity.
Complicating the situation was the fact that a top sales executive was ready to retire, creating a vacancy. Warren had given up hope of a promotion because of his division’s lagging performance. Some fat new contracts would put him back in the running. With two kids soon to enter college, a move up the ladder would ease his financial pinch.
Warren lay awake that night, listening to voices.
* “Grab this guy before he goes elsewhere. This is a competitive game. We need any edge we can get. After all, business is business.”
* “Face it. Someone is going to get this information. Why not you?”
* “Don’t be such a puritan. If you overheard some of this information in the locker room at the club, you wouldn’t think twice about using it. Just because it’s on plastic doesn’t make it worse.”
* “Not so fast. Do you really want someone like this in your employ? How long would it be until he’d sell you down the river?”
Warren was torn. Knowingly gaining from stolen information offended his sense of ethics. But he was also ambitious. He had to admit he was tempted.
Questions to ponder and discuss
1. To what extent is Warren’s dilemma a matter of legality, ethics, or spirituality? How would you help him sort out the different voices he hears? Does Scripture offer clear guidance for a situation like this?
2. Someone has said that “good ethics is good business” and that morality eventually pays off. Do you agree? Does Christian behavior always produce success in the long run?
3. What’s harder—knowing the right thing to do, or doing what we know is right? How can Christians gain the strength to do what they know is right?
Additional Scripture
See also Deuteronomy 16:19-20; Isaiah 33:15-16; Matthew 7:15-20; 16:26; Luke 12:15.