John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Luke 3:11 (NIV)
In over thirty-years of my career with Intelligentics, I have been incredibly blessed. I do, however, have a small number of painful memories. Most of the agony traces back to mistakes we discovered involving client data — mistakes that were consequential. In each case, our company’s modus operandi was to do what our mission states:
“…by applying the principles of God’s Word to our lives and work, we become examples of servant leadership and integrity…”
Go to the client.
Honestly confess.
Agree to make it right.
Refund what they paid for the project.
I am happy to report that I can easily count on one hand the number of times we were required to do this. It was never fun, and the amount of money we refunded was not small.
Today’s chapter is all about setting and preparation. Luke lays out the historical setting for Jesus making his entrance in ministry. He lists seven actual names of people at the top of the org charts of the kingdoms of empire, commerce, and religion — individuals who will conspire to have Jesus executed in just three years. Luke then introduces Jesus’ cousin John, a herald in the wilderness preparing the way for the Messiah.
As I meditated on John’s words, I found it fascinating that Luke specifically notes that tax collectors and soldiers went to hear John’s message. These were both despised groups of people. Tax Collectors were despised because they were seen as working for the enemy (Rome) and they profited by extorting their own people. Soldiers were despised as occupiers, and those who leveraged their power to oppress innocent people.
When they asked John what they should do, John gave specific answers.
“Don’t collect more than you have to.”
“Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
John didn’t tell them to get a different job. He told them to act differently in the job they already had.
When I was a young man, I was convinced that I would spend my life in vocational ministry. God had other plans. I’ve spent my career helping clients measure and improve their customers experience. Along the way, God taught me that my job gave me the opportunity to work with all sorts of people, from all walks of life, whom I would otherwise never meet. He revealed to me the opportunity I’d been given to teach people principles that would not only improve the quality of their work, but the quality of their lives and relationships.
And, I would also be given the opportunity to exemplify what I say I believe…
Honestly confessing a mistake.
Making it right.
Refunding money.
John’s message was the warm-up act for Jesus — but their messages dove-tailed perfectly. John called all people, saints and sinners alike — to take a spiritual heart check. Then turn a changed heart into tangible, specific acts of goodness in every day life.
Repentance, according to John, wasn’t a feeling. It was visible. It showed up in the way people treated others, handled money, and used their authority.
On this Monday morning, entering another work week, that’s a good reminder. It’s one thing for my company to have a mission statement. It’s another thing for me to actually do business like I believe it.
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
