Doing it right!

Yesterday's headline blared - "Priest accused of stealing $600K over 4 years." Today's says, "Priest says ill-gotten money went to school." Father Bob, to all accounts, is a great guy, with a big heart, who wanted to have a parochial school in his parish. He was single-mindedly persistent in making it happen. But somewhere along the way, it appears that he adopted a mentality that let him believe that doing things unethically was all right because he was trying to accomplish something good. The priest doesn't deny that he re-directed funds and issued phony checks. He insists he did not do so for personal benefit. His primary defense appears to be the old line - "The end justifies the means!" He tried a short-term solution to a problem that proved to be a long-term disaster. Setting aside principles and making decisions based on expediency in the moment will always come 'round to a bad end.

There's a lot of the same kind of thinking that deceived Father Bob in our world today. Instead of asking, "is it right?" many only focus on the question - "Does it work?" What produces quick results for today is not the best course of action if it requires setting aside principles of morality or ethics! Sometimes the choice between right and wrong is obvious. For example, the husband who is presented with an opportunity for a sexual affair on a business trip versus fidelity to his wife does not really have to ponder the morality of the choices that are there before him. Short term, the rendezvous will return an evening's pleasure, but the cost potentially is his self-respect and his marriage. It's want we call a 'no-brainer!" Other decisions are much less clear. The manager who realizes he can improve his profit margin with a small, nearly imperceptible, reduction in the quality of his product is presented with more difficult choice, especially if his competitor is willing to make that cut and take away his business.

Ethics are increasingly shaped by utilitarianism. It's a big word that means we determine what is right by choosing the course of action we think will produce the most good for the greatest number of people. So, what's wrong with that? Ask the parent of a child with developmental challenges. It costs society a lot of money to care for those who with special needs. If one adopts a utilitarian ethic, the needs of the handicapped child slide way down the list of priorities! Another example - as our society ages, utilitarian thinking will bring us 'round to deciding that it's time for Grandma to go, 'cause her care is costing the family too much money! The Proverbs tell us - "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." (14:12, NLT) I do not mean to imply that right and wrong are always crystal clear or that the choices to be made are simple or even easy. Living morally and ethically involves hard choice and demands great wisdom!

This I can say, with certainty - Ignoring Biblical principles and values will always cost more long-term that doing it right the first time.

Believer, choose wisely! How?

First, go ask God! Take James' advice. "If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking." (James 1:5, CEV)

Second, seek counsel! "Victory depends on having many counselors." (Proverbs 24:6, NLT) Don't try to be the Lone Ranger. Live a life that is connected to others that are marked by wisdom and let them mentor you, helping you to uncover the right way.

Third, consider experience! There is a kind of conceit that causes us to think that we are the first generation ever to be confronted with choices. While it is true that our situations may be unique, the basic questions of life are the same. That is why we look to the experiences of those who have gone before us. We learn from them, we glean wisdom from their successes and mistakes.

Here's a promise. Take it to heart and let it guide you as you make the choices of life.
"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like complete darkness. Those who follow it have no idea what they are stumbling over." (Proverbs 4:18-19, NLT)