When money is involved, we can never be too careful. A prominent and respected lawyer for well-heeled seniors confessed in court that “there was something evil inside” him. He was charged for helping himself to grossly excessive fees from a deep-pocketed client. How does this relate to us?
We all have the capacity to covet, steal and be dishonest and slippery with cash. We all have the inner potential to play around with the figures, juggle the numbers and cook the books to our own advantage.
When the Apostle Paul was orchestrating financial support for poor Christians in Jerusalem, he was super cautious. He made sure that more than one person was in charge of the money from beginning to end. The last thing Paul wanted or needed was someone accusing him of how he handled money. He didn’t want a scandal or even a hint of a scandal. Even an allegation is damaging.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians about their collection for the poor and how it was to be handled. He made sure other believers were involved, and then he said:
We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honourable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.” 2 Corinthians 8:18-22
Money intended for spiritual causes does not necessarily get handled in ‘spiritual’ ways. Think of the money scandals associated with religion, where vulnerable people are robbed by preachers who promise: “If you send us your money, God will bless you.”
You may have handled everything honestly in the past, but that does not mean you won’t be tempted in the future and tragically fail. People who have swindled money or tampered with the books never intended to go so far. No one deliberately sets out to have their reputation destroyed.
It wasn’t enough for the Apostle Paul to end each day knowing he was in the clear before the Lord concerning money. What it looked like in people’s eyes was a huge concern for the Apostle – even if the Lord knew everything was above-board. He took every possible precaution to be clear from any accusation people might try to level at him, even if they were false accusations based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
Have you ever heard someone say something like this:
‘Well, technically, it’s allowable. I think it would pass a judge’s scrutiny when he weighed precedents and case law. My staff may not understand how I juggled those figures for the accountant, but I know in my heart of hearts, what I did was legal.”
But if employees are going around saying: “Wow! Some Christian she is! I can’t believe she asked me to do that!” – Is that a good thing for the cause of Christ? Paul was concerned about how people perceived his actions.
As a young person, if someone asks you to handle money or to keep the records, do not, do not, do not trust yourself. Protect yourself from not only being tempted someday down the road but also be careful to protect your reputation from needless accusations.
Whether in business, in the community or in the local church, always make sure a second person is involved whenever possible. Make sure someone else checks what you have counted. Make sure the cheques are signed by two people – not just your signature. Remember it must not only be honest, but it must also appear to be honest! That’s the Christian standard.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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