Part of the deal in reading and understanding Solomon proverbs is that you have to embrace righteousness as a desirable characteristic. If you can’t do that, everything else is simply a waste of time. Righteousness decrees that no matter how enticing a sinner is, no matter how your weak flesh and mind beg you to succumb, you cannot do so, and perhaps nowhere is the concept of sinners and sin more obvious than the financial arena. It seems that all the worst aspects of human nature surface in a boiling brew when money is involved.
Bible scholars will remember that money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money sure is, and the idea to keep in mind is that sinners are not content to go on their own merry way down to Hell. If you’re not careful, they’ll take you with them. That’s why we picked the following Solomon proverb to expound upon today.
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” (1:10)
If you can get around the old-style English grammar, you’ll see that this proverb is reminding you that it’s a really, really, really, really BAD idea to give into the temptation offered by sinners. When applied to the world of business or investing, the temptations are immense. Is it okay to take advantage of a customer just because you can? Especially if they would never be the wiser? The answer here, we hope you arrive at is, obviously not. Same goes if you have the “opportunity” to buy in or dump stock just before a rapid move which, thanks to a bit of insider info, you already knew was pending.
Yes, insider trading does count as an enticement, and you must not consent to profiting through such a maneuver. We shouldn’t even have to say this but most consciences need to be pricked every once in awhile. The odd thing is that most of us struggle with the enticement, not the sin itself. If you’re honest with yourself, deciphering whether or not something is a sin is fairly easy. It’s the gosh darn enticing nature of it that’s hard.
Bottom line. If sinners or sin entices you, and they will because it’s their nature, don’t make the mega-mistake of saying yes.
The Solomon Success Team
Flickr / See-ming Lee