<> Ask the Pastor The Rev'd Walter Snyder A blessed All Saints Day to the readers of Ask the Pastor. We thank God for bringing his faithful home to their eternal rest and for working his Word and will through them while they lived on earth. We also pray that we receive the same eternal inheritance, to shine as jewels in the crown of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Q: My question is, "How do we conduct our business as Christians with the world?" I try to conduct my business as "biblically as possible," as treating and dealing with people just as Jesus said and according to the Ten Commandments. But I find myself at almost every round cheated or taken advantage of. Is it that all Christians are to be losers in their daily lives by living the Lord's ways? I am frustrated at always been taken advantage of. Is there is a balanced way of living the Lord's commandments out? For if I don't see it soon, I'm afraid that just the basis of trying to follow the Lord's teaching will soon drain me of my resources (physical, emotional, and material). So friend, can you teach a thing or two? A: A Christian is at a disadvantage in this world. You desire to be honest and trusting when many treat such as an alien concept. Often, there is nothing to do to avoid being a "loser" in your earthly dealings. However, a Christian is handed the ultimate advantage in this world: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" We cannot always maximize profits in the manner of unscrupulous competitors. However, the very knowledge that you are honest and fair will draw many to trade with you. Martin Luther spoke regarding the command to not bear false witness, telling us that the positive aspect is as important as the negative: "We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way." This is part of how God sends his redeemed out to live their daily lives. Christ recognized that the fallen world operates differently than do his own people. He tells the Parable of the Unrighteous Steward and the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16). These illustrate much of the conflict God's children have in the world. Often, Christians are fools in dealing with the things of this world. God would have you to manage all your life wisely and well---it is preparation for the fullness of his riches revealed in Christ: "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true wealth to you. (vv. 10--11)" God has given you the headship of your family. You are his agent on earth to see to their religious education and upbringing. You are also his vehicle for providing their "daily bread." Thus, while being honest and upright in your dealings, you still perform credit inquiries, determine whether you will be paid, and otherwise learn to be "shrewd in relation to" the "sons of this age," as noted in verse eight. God does provide---yet he uses many means of provision. Not only does he work through his Word and Spirit, through church and pastor. He also blesses and provides for you through other people, through stable government, good weather, and the like. So also, you are "under-provider." He gives to you that you might support self, family, church, and society. How you manage and strike a balance will not always be easy, but remember that it is not you, but Christ working within you who will guide you through all your days. If you'd like to talk more, please respond again. Q: I question if our President's private life should have been investigated. We don't invade the private lives of our citizens here in America. What do you say to that? A: I imagine that you are reacting to my column of a few weeks ago. I think that because the alleged offenses occurred in the public's seat of executive government and because they speak to the underlying character and fitness to speak with the moral authority inherent in the office of President, they should be examined in public. Sex and lying about sex may not be suitable for public discourse. A president lying under oath is public---it is his oath which binds him to the duties of his office. What, also, of the distraction of being actively sexually involved with someone while at the same time making decisions concerning the sending of troops into a hostile environment (Bosnia)? While we often let people make horrendous fools of themselves, if they represent us officially or are working as our employees or on our behalf, we hold them to a higher standard. Much appears to have happened on public time, in a public building (not even the living quarters, but adjacent to the most important secular room in the world), and reflects upon the public he was elected to serve. Remember also that you are a citizen in a republic, and thus are part of the government: "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men...who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13--14)" Do you see right to commend or wrong to punish? That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.