Proverbs 11:1 tells us, “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight” (ESV).  A verse that’s pretty clear and straightforward: conduct your business with honesty and integrity, and you’ll delight the Lord.

However, there’s a bit to unpack here.  And some that takes some deep thinking to understand what it all actually means.

What is Your Business?

First of all, we’re not using the term “business” here in the sense of running a business.  Not exclusively anyway.  What is done every day of the week is your business.  When you’re shopping, you’re going about your business.  When you’re getting kids ready for school, that’s your business.  When you’re driving and eagerly zipping ahead of that person who got in the wrong lane and is now trying desperately to merge before they miss their exit, is your business.

And, of course, we’re talking about actually running a business and being fair, honest, and full of integrity when you do run that business.  Because when you’re honest, open, and fair with your customers and clients, that’s what the Lord takes delight in.

Why does Evil Succeed?

Now, that begs the question of why businesses with unscrupulous leadership succeed.  If God detests dishonesty, but delights in honesty, why do we look around and see these businesses flourishing?  If you’re wondering what ones, just take a look around the US today.  It’s generally not the small mom and pop shops.  It’s not the small to medium sized businesses.  It’s the mega corporations that are paying poverty level wages, hiking prices every time they can, and the upper echelon of leadership are raking in tens of millions per year.

Look me in the eye and tell me, “They’re doing the Lord’s work.”  Meanwhile people die because they can’t afford healthcare as CEOs buy another yacht.

I read up quite a bit, and short of sitting down with spiritual leaders who are far smarter than me on this, I have found a couple reasons.

First, it’s like a kid who’s cheating on a math test.  He gets good grades, but he’s not learning anything.  It’s a temporary benefit for what will ultimately be a long-term detriment.

Second, there’s this thing called “free will.”  We get to decide what we want to do; we can follow what God has explained as the “best practices” or we can follow what we believe to be the fast path to riches.

Without going too deeply into it, or really researching motives, mindsets, and beliefs, it kind of boils down to this: do you want your reward on earth as a fat paycheck, but eternal suffering.  Or, do you want to do what’s right and perhaps not get that paycheck, and find eternal life?

Again, no idea what the unscrupulous business owners and CEOs have committed to in their hearts.

How Should we Conduct Our Business Then?

Personally, I am under the belief that we should treat people right, fairly, and justly.  It shouldn’t be a far-fetched idea, but here we are.

What many people miss out on, though, is when you commit to treating others the right way, you have to treat yourself fairly, justly, and with integrity.  And that means standing up for yourself when the tables are turned.  As a business owner, you aren’t the only one that’s supposed to be dealing with honest scales.  The customer does too.  When they’re trying to be dishonest, you have to maintain that integrity and stand up for yourself.

When you give in, saying, “the customer is always right!” then you aren’t acting in honesty or fairness.  You’re allowing deceit to infiltrate your business.

How my Writing Business Functions

Over the years I have changed my pricing structure a few times.  I was lower, thinking I was helping people, but I learned that the end result would be burning out and not helping people the way I really should, or could.  I was a little higher, but I always had this nagging feeling that I was overcharging people (likely a lot of it was imposter syndrome).  So I brought things down just a little.

Recently I had a few people say my pricing was “outrageous” or “I could hire a full-time person for that much.”  To which I merely have to reply, “If you want to pursue it further, let me know.”  And leave it at that.  Because if I slash my rates to meet their budget, I’m not acting in honesty or integrity.

Of course, what blog would be complete without a CTA?  If you’re kicking around the idea of writing a book, and want to talk to a ghostwriter, then schedule some time and we’ll talk about it and see how I can help.