Earn Your Living Ethically and Honestly
Taking advantage of others to get a dollar is a hard way to live your life.
To my kids:
As you become adults, you will realize that many things you need or want to do require money.
Need to drive to work? That’s going to cost you money.
Need to put food on the table? More money.
Want to go out to eat? Hand over some more money.
As a child, I didn’t realize how much our world is driven by money. I understand it a little better now.
All of this money that changes hands so rapidly means, in the United States anyway, that opportunities to earn money are everywhere.
And when you have opportunities to gain money everywhere, greed and corruption tend to creep into the picture. Some people start cutting corners to get a little more money or hang on to a little bit more of their money. The temptation creeps in to take advantage of other people to make a little extra money.
I hope you listen to my advice here - earn your living in an ethical, honest way.
Do everything according to the law.
Don’t take advantage of people.
Tell people the truth, even if you may lose some money on the deal.
It’s not worth sacrificing your character and principles to earn a little extra money. Solomon said that those who are greedy for gain, or “unjust gain,” end up taking away their own life (Proverbs 1:19). Solomon even wrote that “dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11:1).
God turns up His nose in disgust at unjust business practices, but He is delighted when we earn our living and treat our customers in a just (fair, ethical, right) way.
I know of people who were unethical in their attempts to earn more money. Sometimes they got the extra money they were after - but it cost them.
Maybe they were caught breaking the law, and they went to prison.
Maybe how they treated other people drove all their friends and family away.
Don’t travel this path.
The extra money it might bring into your life is not worth the price you have to pay.
Until next time,
Love Dad.
Good advice for anyone!