Jacob, One Man"s Struggle For Integrity
If you have read the bible you are familiar with the Old Testament account of the patriarch Jacob wrestling with the angel.
More than a story of a mere man wrestling with God, it is an excellent lesson in character.
In the story Jacob is asked by the angel to reveal his name.
As his name implies, Jacob earned a much deserved reputation as a supplanter and a deceiver.
It seems he started out years earlier acquiring his business skills by swindling the birth-right from his brother Esau for a bowl of soup.
Jacob's all-night vigil portrays a character struggle of integrity against dishonesty, truthfulness against deception, and honor against dishonor.
This biblical narrative is not too far removed from the inward struggle we all experience during difficult times such as these.
Like Jacob, the stresses and pressures of everyday life can be very challenging and there are times when our integrity wrestles against compromise.
The U.
S.
has experienced an economic crisis unseen in this country for many years.
In its wake, we have seen several political and economic scandals which have left many feeling vulnerable and distrustful.
As a result companies are struggling to regain the trust and confidence of the American people.
Just recently G.
M.
(General Motors) announced a 60-day satisfaction guarantee on any new car purchase.
The guarantee would permit buyers to return their new cars within 60 days of purchase if they are not satisfied.
How's that for fostering goodwill and restoring trust and confidence in the giant but struggling auto maker? As our economy struggles to regain stability and integrity, the American people are looking for answers.
The question many are asking is not, who do I do business with, but rather, who can I trust? As leaders and mentors in the world of many home-based and internet marketing business opportunities, we too must take care to handle our personal and business affairs with dignity and integrity.
Our credibility and success as an industry depends on it.
We must not (as Jacob did) resort to our own deceivings in order to achieve an end by any means necessary just to make a fast buck.
We too must recognize that: Every business transaction is a test of character which will ultimately earn us a well deserved reputation whether good or bad.
The narrative of Jacobs' life is an example of this.
Yes, he did receive the birth-right through dishonest means, and yes he seemingly was blessed.
However, the narrative reveals that for many years he suffered strained business relationships and eventually his reputation was tarnished.
It is during stress and adversity that character is revealed.
Difficult times such as these will demand a test of our own integrity.
During times of severe economic hardship we must learn to trust in the principles we hold dear to guide us.
Integrity must return to our homes, families, schools, and governments.
These cherished institutions order our way of life.
In addition: Integrity must return to the way in which we do business with one another.
However, before integrity can return to our institutions it must be restored to us as individuals.
In other words, if trust is to return to Wall Street it must first return to Main Street.
Integrity begins with personal honesty.
Like the birth-right our integrity should never be bought, sold, or exchanged at any price.
How can a leader and business owner safeguard their integrity and build a reputation of trust and confidence in their client and customer base? 1) mean what you say 2) provide what you promise 3) stand by your products and services If you cannot or are unwilling to do these things you contribute to the climate of vulnerability and mistrust in society and hinder the efforts of good men and women to help those who need it most.
One last thing: We should all understand that one cannot buy favor or blessings.
These come from the trust and goodwill of others.
However, some of us (evidenced by the way we do business with others) like Jacob must experience a radical change of character; otherwise the lack of goodwill and the distrust we sow will eventually catch up to us.
In the present economic environment people are vulnerable and are over-cautious of even legitimate opportunities, not to mention anything that sounds too good to be true; and rightly so.
And so, at the end of the day, like the angel, people are simply asking you and me-what is your name? Are you Jacob the supplanter and deceiver, or are you Israel a prince with the favor of God and man? Copyright © 2009 all rights reserved
More than a story of a mere man wrestling with God, it is an excellent lesson in character.
In the story Jacob is asked by the angel to reveal his name.
As his name implies, Jacob earned a much deserved reputation as a supplanter and a deceiver.
It seems he started out years earlier acquiring his business skills by swindling the birth-right from his brother Esau for a bowl of soup.
Jacob's all-night vigil portrays a character struggle of integrity against dishonesty, truthfulness against deception, and honor against dishonor.
This biblical narrative is not too far removed from the inward struggle we all experience during difficult times such as these.
Like Jacob, the stresses and pressures of everyday life can be very challenging and there are times when our integrity wrestles against compromise.
The U.
S.
has experienced an economic crisis unseen in this country for many years.
In its wake, we have seen several political and economic scandals which have left many feeling vulnerable and distrustful.
As a result companies are struggling to regain the trust and confidence of the American people.
Just recently G.
M.
(General Motors) announced a 60-day satisfaction guarantee on any new car purchase.
The guarantee would permit buyers to return their new cars within 60 days of purchase if they are not satisfied.
How's that for fostering goodwill and restoring trust and confidence in the giant but struggling auto maker? As our economy struggles to regain stability and integrity, the American people are looking for answers.
The question many are asking is not, who do I do business with, but rather, who can I trust? As leaders and mentors in the world of many home-based and internet marketing business opportunities, we too must take care to handle our personal and business affairs with dignity and integrity.
Our credibility and success as an industry depends on it.
We must not (as Jacob did) resort to our own deceivings in order to achieve an end by any means necessary just to make a fast buck.
We too must recognize that: Every business transaction is a test of character which will ultimately earn us a well deserved reputation whether good or bad.
The narrative of Jacobs' life is an example of this.
Yes, he did receive the birth-right through dishonest means, and yes he seemingly was blessed.
However, the narrative reveals that for many years he suffered strained business relationships and eventually his reputation was tarnished.
It is during stress and adversity that character is revealed.
Difficult times such as these will demand a test of our own integrity.
During times of severe economic hardship we must learn to trust in the principles we hold dear to guide us.
Integrity must return to our homes, families, schools, and governments.
These cherished institutions order our way of life.
In addition: Integrity must return to the way in which we do business with one another.
However, before integrity can return to our institutions it must be restored to us as individuals.
In other words, if trust is to return to Wall Street it must first return to Main Street.
Integrity begins with personal honesty.
Like the birth-right our integrity should never be bought, sold, or exchanged at any price.
How can a leader and business owner safeguard their integrity and build a reputation of trust and confidence in their client and customer base? 1) mean what you say 2) provide what you promise 3) stand by your products and services If you cannot or are unwilling to do these things you contribute to the climate of vulnerability and mistrust in society and hinder the efforts of good men and women to help those who need it most.
One last thing: We should all understand that one cannot buy favor or blessings.
These come from the trust and goodwill of others.
However, some of us (evidenced by the way we do business with others) like Jacob must experience a radical change of character; otherwise the lack of goodwill and the distrust we sow will eventually catch up to us.
In the present economic environment people are vulnerable and are over-cautious of even legitimate opportunities, not to mention anything that sounds too good to be true; and rightly so.
And so, at the end of the day, like the angel, people are simply asking you and me-what is your name? Are you Jacob the supplanter and deceiver, or are you Israel a prince with the favor of God and man? Copyright © 2009 all rights reserved