Corporate Integrity
"...he who walks in integrity walks securely; but he who perverts his ways will be found out." - Proverbs 10:9
Enron was once the darling of Wall Street. In early 2000, it was the seventh largest Fortune 500 company and the sixth largest energy company in the world. And then, in just a little more than eighteen months, Enron was bankrupt. It was perhaps the largest and swiftest fall in corporate history.
What was the problem at Enron? The company, along with the support of their accountants at Arthur Anderson (another corporate giant that also collapsed in the debacle), would report profits from the purchase of a company. They wouldn't be actual profits; they would be speculative or anticipated profits. Eventually, people started asking some tough questions and they were exposed for false record keeping. The truth was exposed and the whole thing came crumbling down. And along the way, hundreds of thousands of innocent people were brought down with it. Leadership's greed and deception brought about this self-destruction.
The debacle of Enron is a reminder of how important character is, especially at the top. The world is longing for leaders of integrity; Godly men and women who are trustworthy, do what they say, keep their word, and are dependable. What happens when leadership lacks this basic character? Proverbs 10:9 answers clearly, "He who walks in integrity walks securely; but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." The hundreds of thousands of employees and stockholders at Enron and Arthur Anderson will attest to that.
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13 Comments
I'm having trouble understanding today's devotion, can someone help me understand? - Kimberly
It's regarding honesty and walking the path in the way God would ask. This devotion is especially focusing on integrity in business in light of recent events. I've seen how greed and dishonesty can tear families apart. It's not worth the cost in the eyes of God and the consequences here on earth. - Melanie
I think it means that in your daily work, you need to do your best, do the right thing, and treat others the way you would want to be treated. As a manager or an employee it is important to be honest and honest in whatever you do. - Lisa
Another point made is that when you are dishonest you will be found out, one way or another. - Jennifer
I think it can also help if you are American with the decision of our new president and the whole presidential race - rhona
To me, it means that if you are not completely honest, then you are lying. If you fail to tell the whole truth, it is still a lie. If one person lies or is not completely honest, it can affect everyone who comes in contact with them. When it is a comapnty that lies or is not completely honest, then the affects can be devistating. When you lie or are not completely honest, remember that this affects others, not just you. - jag
Kimberly,
It simply means that we must be honest and straight forward and truthful at all times. We will be found out if we are untruthful, dishonest, scandalous, or devious in our ways and in our business dealings. In other words, God sees and knows all and honesty is still the best policy. - Patricia Brooks
I don't think it was the primary point of the story, but it's also a good reminder that things are not always what they seem to be. - Grant
I did not really follow this story when it was in the news but this devotion made me curious as to what motivated the accountants (Arthur Anderson)? Did they go along with Enron because they were afraid if they did not that they would lose the account or did some of them get some financial reward for going along with the deception? The actions of the accountants seems almost worse to me than the Enron folks but to God sin is sin. This certainly is a good example of how innocent people get hurt by the sins of other people. Integrity is priceless. Ask any of those hurt by this "debacle" the cost of the hurt inflicted on them and their families and I am sure they would say it is too high to number. - Janice
Thanks everyone for helping me to understand the devotion today. I will adment, I have been a Christian for about 7 years, but there are some things I don't seem to grasp in devotionals. - Kimberly
I drive truck for a living and deliver to a chain of grocery stores in British Columbia, I have to go into the back to assist in unloading and get left alone quite often. The temptation to take is overwelming at times but it is our integrity at stake if we take what is not ours and lie about it. Jesus said that all thieves and liars will have their part in the lake of fire when they break the Ten Commandments. We as Christians are under the microscope everyday so integrity is important. - Dale
I got one of those chain emails yesterday which was probably not true, but it was a story that did give one pause for thought. Basically it was about a man that got on a bus in a small town and realized that the bus driver had given him an extra quarter in change. He kept debating to himself as he sat down that no one would ever know & a quarter was no big deal & the bus company makes a lot of money etc. Anyway, finally as he was getting off the bus he decided to return the quarter to the bus driver. The driver smiled and said "thank you" and asked "arent you the pastor at the church down the street? "to which the man replied"Well,yes I am."The driver answered " I thought so. I have been thinking of visiting your church so I purposely gave you an extra quarter back to check and see if you would return it or not."- Anyway, I paraphrased the email, but that was the general idea. In other words we must be vigilant at all times as if someone is always watching every move we make, because after all - God is... - christ follower
Pastor Wright, I love the way you apply scripture to everyday life, as you just did with Enron and Arthur Andersen. It really helps to educate us and understand how to apply scripture to our lives. - Phyllis