Reputations take time to build. Character must be constructed. Integrity is established over the course of time. Character and integrity must be guarded and protected. Otherwise, we rationalize.

We begin looking for ways to justify certain behaviors. If we’re not careful, we’re saying things like, “Everyone else is doing it. How will we keep up if we don’t? It’s really no big deal.”

It seems like small-scale cheating in the marketplace is often overlooked. In some cases, it is almost expected. It’s certainly tolerated and even encouraged in some instances.

People gradually go from asking, “What’s the right thing to do?” to asking, “What are we legally required to do?” and finally, “What do you think we can get away with?” This kind of ethical erosion can occur in business, and it can occur in our individual lives, as well.

Sooner or later, you will be tempted or be pressured to sacrifice your conscience on the altar of success. Some people seem to think you can’t succeed in business without selling your soul. As comedian Lily Tomlin once said, “The trouble with the rat race is even if you win, you’re still a rat.”

I want to invite you to consider the importance of exercising biblical ethics in the workplace. Shouldn’t we strive to maintain integrity in a world that seems more committed to money than morality and who values profit over principles?

Integrity has been described as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It is about moral uprightness. Integrity is the state of being whole and undivided.

I once heard someone say, “Our walk talks, and our talk talks, but often our walk talks more than our talk talks.” How does your walk talk? What does it say to the people around you?

For Jesus followers, this is about extending our faith to every facet of our lives, including the many hours we spend in the workplace each week. We’re talking about congruence between our beliefs and our behavior, no matter where we are or who we are with.

There is no segregating of our lives. Our faith is to be more than a Sunday-only experience. It should make a difference in our lives Monday through Saturday.

We have all seen our share of ethical compromises along the way. It is epidemic in today’s culture. Are you cutting any ethical corners or are you committed to live a life of character and integrity? Think about that, then we will dig a little deeper next time.

You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].