Business Integrity
299
Mind and Character Degraded by Dishonesty—He [one who
utters falsehood or practices deception] loses his own self-respect. He
may not be conscious that God sees him and is acquainted with every
business transaction, that holy angels are weighing his motives and
listening to his words, and that his reward will be according to his
works; but if it were possible to conceal his wrongdoing from human
and divine inspection, the fact that he himself knows it is degrading
to his mind and character. One act does not determine the character,
but it breaks down the barrier, and the next temptation is more readily
entertained, until finally a habit of prevarication and dishonesty in
business is formed, and the man cannot be trusted
As we deal with our fellow men in petty dishonesty or in more
daring fraud, so will we deal with God. Men who persist in a course
of dishonesty will carry out their principles until they cheat their own
souls and lose heaven and eternal life. They will sacrifice honor and
religion for a small worldly advantage
Shun Debt—Many poor families are poor because they spend
their money as soon as they receive it
You must see that one should not manage his affairs in a way that
will incur debt.... When one becomes involved in debt, he is in one of
Satan’s nets, which he sets for souls....
Abstracting and using money for any purpose, before it is earned,
is a snare
[393]
Words to One Who Lived Beyond His Income—You ought not
to allow yourself to become financially embarrassed, for the fact that
you are in debt weakens your faith and tends to discourage you; and
even the thought of it makes you nearly wild. You need to cut down
your expenses and strive to supply this deficiency in your character.
You can and should make determined efforts to bring under control
your disposition to spend means beyond your income
The Cause of God May Be Reproached—The world has a right
to expect strict integrity in those who profess to be Bible Christians.
3
Testimonies For The Church 5, 396
.
4
The Review and Herald, September 18, 1888
.
5
Counsels on Stewardship, 269
.
6
Letter 63, 1997
.
7
Letter 48, 1888
.