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PROGRAM D-8413
Ever been faced with an ethical situation on your job where doing the right thing, the thing you know you should do as a Christian, could be costly to you and your career? Our imagined friend, Fran, is facing that situation, but she has Jesus beside her to give her guidance.
Fran’s boss has asked her to submit some false figures in a proposal to a prospect, and Fran is now going into Marilyn’s office, to offer another suggestion which is not unethical.
“Marilyn, I believe it would be to our advantage to go in with a very realistic estimate and promise the client no surprises at invoice time. Instead of doing us harm, I believe we can build lots of credibility and gain a competitive edge with this approach.” But Marilyn doesn’t buy it.
“Fran, I’ve been around this business longer than you. Change the figures; that’s your best shot at getting the business.” She expects Fran to leave, but looks up to find her still standing there. “You got a problem with that?” she asks.
Fran’s heart is beating a mile a minute. Lord, she thinks, where are you?
He quiets her mind and whispers, “Don’t be afraid. I’m with you. If God is for you, who can be against you.”
Quietly she turns to Marilyn and says, “Yeah, Marilyn, I do. I have a problem with submitting a low bid when we know we can’t come in at those numbers.”
“Well, if you can’t do it the way I want it done, I’ll have to turn this prospect over to someone else who can follow orders.” She stares at Fran.
Fran feels the anger starting to rise, and the blood rushing to her face. Then, she hears that quiet inner voice saying, “Don’t let your anger take over. Hold your tongue and stand by your convictions.”
She gulps, and says to Marilyn, “Obviously I don’t want to lose this account; but if you feel someone else should have it, that’s your call.” She turns to go.
“You mean you’d give up the account before you’d change those figures?” Marilyn asks incredulously.
“Yeah, Marilyn, it’s hard, but I would. Otherwise I’d have a hard time looking at myself in the mirror each morning,” she says to her with a slight smile. “Besides,” she continues as she reaches the door, “if I would be dishonest with a client, how could you ever be sure I wouldn’t be dishonest with you, too?”
She walks out quietly, hoping to hear Marilyn stop her and change her mind. But she doesn’t.
What’s going to happen now? Fran did what Jesus wanted her to do, and now she’s in trouble with her boss—and it looks like she’ll lose this big account. Ever been in that kind of dilemma? Lots of marketplace Christians face it often. What’s next for Fran?