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Key Bible Verses: Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right (Psalm 15:1–2). Bonus Reading: Psalm 15:15

Phil uses all legal means to avoid paying more than his share of taxes, but still pays a sizable amount each year. He's reminded others in the local Christian businessmen's group he leads that they should pay every cent due.

But during a recent recession, with both quarterly payroll taxes and annual income taxes coming due in April, Phil faced reality: those checks would nearly empty his bank account. Phil knew 40 different "gray area" tricks other businessmen use all the time to keep money in their accounts. Maybe he should give his accountant the go ahead.

But first he asked two close friends from his businessmen's fellowship to meet him for coffee. "Fellows, I need some wisdom. You know I've told everyone else in the group, 'Pay the dollar; save your honor.' Maybe it's been too easy for me to say. If I write those checks according to the rules I've been using, my cash flow will be wiped out. I'm thinking about letting my accountant keep my books more like everyone else. If I do some 'gray accounting,' I'm halfway to meeting next month's payroll expenses. So you tell me: Have I been too idealistic about how I've kept my books?" [continued 2/6]

—Crawford Loritts Jr. in Make It Home Before Dark

My Response: How would I advise Phil?

Thought to Apply: Without adversity a person hardly knows whether he is honest or not. —Henry Fielding (British fiction & drama writer, 18th century)

Adapted from Make It Home Before Dark (Moody Press, Moody Bible Institute, 2000) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Righteous Father, give me the strength of character to live by Your code.

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