More than 50 years ago, a brother who traveled in the work of the Lord was visiting in a particular locality. During the course of that visit, a brother in Christ who was local to that area invited the visiting brother to have lunch with him. Since the local brother had his own business, the visiting brother arranged to meet him at his place of business, and together they were to go to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
When the visiting brother arrived at the appointed time, the local brother’s secretary informed him that her boss was with a business associate and would be available in a few minutes. She showed the visiting brother to a seat to wait. During the time he waited, he could not help but overhear the conversation between the local brother and his business associate. Voices were raised and unpleasant words were exchanged on both sides. Obviously a heated argument was going on. After a few minutes, the business associate left, and the local brother came out, only to be surprised and embarrassed as he realized that the visiting brother had overheard the conversation. However, he excused himself by saying, “Our Christianity is one thing, but business is business too, isn’t it, brother?” His conduct was a good example of what we read in James 3:11-12: “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
Stories like this are all too common among believers in Christ, and perhaps some of us have been guilty of similar behavior. It is easy to appear Christ-like when everything is going smoothly, but more difficult when we are interacting with people of this world (and perhaps sometimes with fellow Christians?) who may be unreasonable and hard to deal with. Also, we ourselves can be in a wrong state of soul and contribute to the “bitter water.” As Christians we have a new life that loves righteousness, and when those with whom we rub shoulders in this world sometimes exhibit unrighteousness, we can react strongly against it. What then is the answer? How can we consistently yield “fresh water”?
Do Not Expect Righteousness
First of all, we must recognize that unbelievers in this world do not have a new life in Christ; they have only that old nature that can do nothing but sin. In the business world, as in other aspects of life down here, people are often taught to be aggressive, using any tactic possible to gain the upper hand. Back when I was young, an older brother used to remind us, “Do not expect righteousness in your dealings with an unrighteous world.” The world has not changed morally since the days of Cain, and while we can be thankful for the influence Christianity has had on some parts of the world, yet we must continually realize that it remains Cain’s world. While we can, and should, seek to reach men’s consciences, yet we must remember that it is not the job of the Christian to straighten out this world. But then some might ask, How can we avoid being constant victims of unrighteousness or, as the world would say, “being made into doormats all the time”?
I would suggest that the answer lies in being in fellowship with the Lord and realizing three things. First of all, it is more important to honor the Lord than to win the argument or to gain the upper hand in whatever is in question. To win the argument or “get the best” of the one against us may yield temporary gain, but honoring the Lord will gain us a reward that will last for eternity. Are we willing to give up present advantage for future gain? It will be worth it.
A Quiet and Careful Answer
Second, a quiet and careful answer from the Lord will reach another’s conscience much more than strong words. We must remember that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:2020For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:20)). I knew of another situation where a business associate deliberately lied to a brother. When the brother faced him up with it, the business associate defended his lie, insisting that he had told the truth. But the brother quietly persisted, pointing out that at the time he had actually written down what the other had said and reminding him that “lying lips are abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 12:2222Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. (Proverbs 12:22)). The conscience was reached, and the business associate, while not willing to use the world “lied,” admitted that his conduct had “not been very professional.” The Word of God has power, and when we use it, the Lord gets the glory.
The Lord Is Over the Outcome
Third, in any interaction with those of this world, we must realize that the Lord is over all of the outcome. We may quietly and firmly maintain what we feel is right, but occasionally we will find that others will not give in and that we must yield. However, if we honor the Lord, He will make it up to us, and if not in this life, then in eternity. He knows how to look after His own, and we must remember that “them that honor Me I will honor” (1 Sam. 2:3030Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (1 Samuel 2:30)). While we do not look for reward in this world, yet the Lord often is pleased to recognize and honor those who honor Him, even in this life.
Every one of us, as believers, still possesses the old, sinful nature, and we all know how it can so easily rise up under provocation. We may think that we are working the “righteousness of God” when it is merely the “wrath of man.” This kind of situation does not have to be in the business world; it can happen in any situation where friction may occur. Yes, there is a place for righteous indignation, for we are told, “Be ye angry, and sin not” (Eph. 4:2626Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (Ephesians 4:26)). But let us be sure that our indignation is because of the insult done to the Lord, and not because of personal loss or inconvenience. Let us always seek to have our fountain send out sweet water!
W. J. Prost