A businessman once asked, "Do you think it's possible to be totally honest in our business society?" He went on to explain that he didn't purposely cheat anyone, but even when "negotiating" a sale the common practice was for the seller to begin at a price higher than desired, knowing that the buyer always started with a price lower than acceptable. His question must be a conscious thought on the hearts of many sincere Christians: "Can you truly be honest, and if so at what cost?"

Money is an indicator
The Lord says in Luke 16:10, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much." The small thing to which the Lord is referring is money. Naturally, this also includes the pursuit of money. "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing" (James 3:16). In Philippians 2:15, Paul tells us to hold ourselves above this wicked generation so that we can prove ourselves blameless. For this to happen, we must avoid the devices of the accuser and hold to the standards of the Lord.

Why the dishonest prosper
There is little doubt that in the short run a deceitful person will seem to prosper. It doesn't take long, however, for others to recognize this attitude, so he or she must continually seek out new prospects. We must remember that Satan does have limited authority over this earth and can indeed provide riches. The problem with his supply is that it is always accompanied by fear, anxiety, anger, greed, and resentment.

The biggest loss associated with following the worldly path is the loss of God's full blessings (Romans 12:2). God declares that if we do not respond correctly in such a trivial thing as money, we will not be entrusted with any greater possessions. "If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you?" (Luke 16:11).

Material witness
Can Christians be honest in our society? They must be to experience the fullness of God's power and love. There will be times when it will seem that others take advantage of that honesty. The Lord knew that would happen. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). There is often a price to be paid for following in the path of Christ, but there is also a great reward as a result of doing so.

In Conclusion
The Lord told us that a house (or life) built upon sand would fall when the storms come, but one built upon the Rock would survive. We are in the midst of a materialistic storm today, and every Christian must decide whether to build upon the solid rock of God's Word or the shifting sands of society. The decision to do business by the world's normal standards (guile and deception) is a decision to deny Christ. "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13).

Each Christian must come to the position that God's approval is more important than the world's riches. Then, and only then, will the full measure of God's peace and power be experienced.