WWJD By Dr. Richard Youngblood
Question: Many people seem bent on finding a shortcut
for everything they do in order to save time and/or money. Is this what Jesus would do?
The concept of the shortcut is not inherently
bad. In fact, a shortcut may be of value
if it achieves the needed results without compromising integrity. However, the decision to use a shortcut often
overlooks the importance of taking time to be thorough and of producing high
quality workmanship.
Therefore, Jesus would point out the practical
dishonesty often involved with shortcuts on the job or in our business
affairs. We may be tempted to cut
corners or short-change others in order to speed things up and save ourselves
money. This usually results in inferior
workmanship, and customers end up receiving less than they paid for. Anyone with
business experience should know that a reputation for high quality work builds
trust in one’s clientele. On the other
hand, carelessly done workmanship can endanger and destroy lives. Thus, the wise man of Proverbs said:
“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will
be found out” (Proverbs
10:9 NAS). The apostle Paul gave instructions to first
century Christian slaves that provide some guiding principles for Christian
workers in every century. He said: “Whatever
you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. .
. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no
favoritism” (Colossians 3:23-25). Faithful Christians will not take any
shortcuts that result in inferior quality work.
Our
heavenly Father provides a model for us in the way that he does not rush when accomplishing
his purposes. He never takes a shortcut
(2 Peter 3:9). The Old Testament story
of Abraham and Sarah’s attempt to shortcut God’s plan for Abraham to have a son
illustrates the folly of such shortcuts.
Sarah gave Hagar, her handmaid, to Abraham so that he might have a son
as God had promised (Genesis 16); but this plan only brought problems. They still had to wait until the right time
for Isaac, the son of promise, to be born (Hebrews 6:15). In a similar way, the world had to wait until
the right time for God to send his Son into the world (Galatians 4:4).
When Christians follow
this example and “wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14; 37:7) instead of taking shortcuts, they can learn the lessons of life
that can only come through patience and perseverance over time (James 1:2-3;
Romans 5:1-5). One of the Lord’s
apostles admonished: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will
reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians
6:9).
Jesus would have us to see
that truth, honesty, diligence, perseverance and patience are of far greater
value than any money or leisure time gained by unethical shortcuts. “A good name is more desirable than great
riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
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