Don’t be devious

“for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.”
-Proverbs 3:32

I really don’t like the modern theory of customer service, which is really only this: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The concept is this – those who complain loudly enough will get their way. If you don’t like what the person in front of you is saying, ask for a manager. Work your way up. Most of the time, you’ll get what you want.

Ironically, the best customers will almost never ask for a deal. They’ll come quietly and respectfully and take what is given. Those are the customers who really deserve the lower prices or special deals. Some businesses still operate this way, but too few of them.

I worked in a bookstore once, and one lady complained that a book was scratched up and she deserved a discount. Honestly, I don’t recall there being a mark on that book at all, but she insisted that we call a manager. The line behind her was growing as she argued with the manager. Later, when I spoke with her again, she told me that she would make such complaints regularly. She would find something wrong everywhere she went and would demand a discount no matter where she was.

It worked for her, but while the manager was arguing with her, I was looking at the people who were waiting in line, wondering if any of them would get such deals. I had a few customers I thought deserved them, since they were so loyal and kind, but we never made those offers.

Sadly, in this world, it is often the devious who win. It is often those who will make demands over everything, as though they deserved one bit of it.

There are so many who are willing to step on anyone to get a dollar (and sometimes only that!). And I wonder how many I’ve willingly stepped on in my own life. I can think of a few.

The momentary reward will fad. That dollar will be gone eventually, probably very quickly. Even if you keep doing it, keep taking, taking, taking, it will not last beyond the grave. But you will. I don’t care about your portfolio – how do YOU look?

All our tricks and betrayals over money may just work in this life, but they do not work with God. He sees through every motive, every word. It is our heart He judges, and no amount of complaining or threatening to call His manager is going to help you.

Jesus acted rightly in every circumstance. In every way He was upright. He never manipulated others for His own gain. He never manipulated the system to achieve His desires. He walked in honesty and integrity, and it so offended those around Him that they killed Him. He did not yell and curse for His way. Instead, He came in love. For us.

And now, Jesus sits at the right hand of God. He will return in glory, and every knee will bow before Him. It was not His bank account that brought Him this far, and our own bank accounts will not ingratiate us with Him. It will be our hearts.