Latest / Prayer Before Work / Is it Really a Conflict of Interest? - Prayer Before Work
Transcript
- Sean Graver: Hey, no one would ever know. That's usually the first sign that you shouldn't do it. Hey, I'm Sean, and welcome back to prayer before work. The apostle Paul writes in Philippians two Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests. But also to the interests of others. Now that's Philippians 2, verses 3 and 4. And it's not a recommendation to ignore your own interests completely. It's a warning about what happens when they're the only thing you're looking at. A conflict of interest doesn't usually show up looking like something scandalous. It shows up looking more like an opportunity. maybe a vendor who happens to be your cousin, or a hiring decision where one candidate just happens to be a good friend. Maybe it's a contract you could steer toward the company your spouse has stock in. And honestly, they're a solid choice anyway, so what's the harm? Well, the harm is that you stopped being able to tell the difference between what's best for the organization and what's best for you. And once that line gets blurry, it doesn't usually get less blurry on its own. But here's what I've learned. The test isn't can I justify this? Because you can justify almost anything if you think about it long enough. The test is would I be comfortable talking about this with all the people it affects before I do it, not after? So if you'd rather explain it later. Then ask about it now. That's the giveaway. Now, this doesn't mean you're a bad person for having interests. You're allowed to want good things for yourself and for the people you love. But God's asking for something specific here. And that's when your interests and someone else's are intention, you don't automatically default to yours. This isn't weakness. It's actually more like a it's a kind of strength that most workplaces never see. So let's pray. Lord, you know every relationship, every angle, every place where our interests and someone else's don't line up. Well, give us the honesty to recognize a conflict before it becomes a compromise. Help us care about doing what's right, even when doing What's convenient would never get caught. make us someone whose decisions are above reproach. We pray in Jesus' name, amen. And go make today count.