THE MARKETPLACE PSALM

"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?" (Ps 15:1).

In February 2001 Sales and Marketing magazine did a survey and found that among those surveyed:

·         58% cheat on expense reports

·         50% work a second job on company time

·         36% rush closed deals through accounting before they were really closed

·         22% list a "strip bar" as a restaurant on an expense report

·         19% give a kickback to a customer*

If Psalm 15 were the core value of every business plan and purpose statement and reviewed with every employee before hiring, the workplace would be a very different place. What type of person can live in the presence of God? The psalmist tells us:

"He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken" (Ps 15:2-5).

Are you blameless in your approach to your work life? Are you truthful in all your dealings? Do you treat customers, vendors and fellow employees as your neighbor? Do you say what you do truthfully and do what you say? Do you follow through even if the outcome may not be positive? Will you lend money without usury to a friend and refuse a bribe? If you can say yes to these questions then you are a Psalm 15 man or woman and you can dwell on God's Holy hill.

Friend, pray that God makes this psalm a part of your life and begin to ask God to show you how to live this chapter in all you do. Amen.