Tough Sell
Theme of the Week: Crooked or Straight?
Jim George
Thursday, September 2, 2004
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them (Psalm 101:3). Bonus Reading:Psalm 101:1—8
I was trying to sell a used boat trailer in the middle of winter. It was hardly 30 degrees outside, and no one was boating.
Then a potential buyer contacted me. He was even willing to pay my asking price! There was only one catch. He wanted me to put only half the price of the trailer on the bill of sale. "That's the way we do it in these parts," he said. If I complied, he wouldn't have to pay half the state sales tax, which amounted to several hundred dollars.
I really want to sell that trailer, was my first thought. If I say no, he might back out, and I may not find anyone else who'll pay my asking price … But if I agree, I'll be lying (not to mention breaking the law!) …but who would know? I knew what I should do but still I was having this inner struggle.
I told him I was a Christian and couldn't do anything illegal. The man went ahead and bought the trailer anyway, and I declared the full amount on the bill of sale.
But I was prepared to lose the sale to be obedient to God's standards. There'll be times when I'll "lose out" because I won't compromise. But that "loss" is nothing compared to what I've gained: God's blessing for my obedience, and a clear conscience for doing what's right.
—Jim George in God's Man of Influence
My Response: In what ways am I standing up to my culture? How should I be?
Thought to Apply: Character is power.
—Booker T. Washington (slave-born educator)
Adapted from God's Man of Influence (Harvest, 2003) by permission.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click
for reprint information.
1 of 1
 share this page
Keep me, Lord, from being sucked into the corruption of my culture. Empower me to reflect Your holiness in it.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| 
RSS Feed
