現金的難題
By: Rick Boxx
職場兩難版本: 編輯提醒－這是第一篇每月一次的週一嗎哪`,主要著重在職場上經常會遇到的兩難或困境。在簡略的敘述問題之後，我們會提供職場倫理的討論議題或是小組討論問題。文末也會提供我們的評論以及可以應用的聖經原則。
克雷經營車子買賣曾經非常成功，但是現在他處在一個很艱難的時刻。他的現金幾乎用盡了，但他還要付一堆帳單才能開門做生意。他賣出一些車子，但仍然沒有辦法支撐這個月的支出。
要解決現金的問題，克雷向當地的銀行借款，貸到每一輛要賣的車一部分的錢，車子如果賣出了，也等於他還了一部分的貸款。
但是時機越來越艱難，克雷開始不向銀行申報他賣出了車子。一開始，他好像賺到了一些時間，但是基本的問題並沒有解決，所以不久他又面臨同樣的問題。
最後克雷沒有選擇，只好去找諮商。他很害怕自己必須面對被銀行告詐欺；同時，他心裡想著也許就這樣宣告破產吧！但是又很擔心這樣做會帶來什麼實際上和屬靈上潛在的危機。
問題討論
當克雷第一次沒有告訴銀行他賣出車子的時候，其實他還有什麼其他選擇，而不需要說謊？如果，他做了其他的選擇，事情會有什麼不一樣的發展嗎？ 如果你是克雷，你覺得自己會怎麼處理？在這種情況下，你覺得最重要的是什麼？ 想像你是克雷的諮商人員，你會建議克雷怎麼做？關於破產的議題，你會建議克雷怎麼做？你覺得破產對一個基督徒而言是一個可行的選擇嗎？本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自「瑞克．博克思 的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx」。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。
最好的練習
箴言24章6節說到:「 你去打仗，要憑智謀； 謀士眾多，人便得勝。」 克雷打電話給我，請教我如何度過這個困境。透過禱告和討論，我們一起想出一個克雷可以執行的計畫。
第一歩他必須做的事情，就是向神和銀行承認他的罪，即使這很困難和卑微。在約翰一書1章9節說到: 「我們若認自己的罪，上帝是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。」
我們認為認罪很重要，第一能避免更糟糕的後果，也能使克雷恢復他和銀行的關係。在馬太福音5章21-26節，耶穌教導我們:「所以，你在祭壇上獻禮物的時候，若想起弟兄向你懷怨，就把禮物留在壇前，先去同弟兄和好，然後來獻禮物。你同告你的對頭還在路上，就趕緊與他和息，恐怕他把你送給審判官，審判官交付衙役，你就下在監裏了。我實在告訴你，若有一文錢沒有還清，你斷不能從那裏出來。」
更進一步思考
以下是聖經中與這個主題相關的經節，可以提供更一進步的思考。請參考：箴言10章9節；11章2-3節；12章19、22節；15章33節；16章18節；20章17、25節； 22章4節； 24章26節； 馬太福音 5章37節；雅各書5章12節
Editor”s Note: This is the second in a once a month series of “Monday Manna” focusing on business dilemmas and ethical issues in the workplace. After a summary of the problem, we offer questions for personal consideration or group discussion, along with comments and biblical principles that might apply.
CASH FLOW CONUNDRUM
By Rick Boxx
Clay owned a car dealership that once had been very successful but had stumbled onto hard times. Cash flow was almost nonexistent, yet his bills still had to be paid if he were to be able to keep the doors open. Clay”s company was selling some cars, but not enough to support the monthly overhead.
To offset the problems with cash flow, Clay had formulated a financing plan with his local bank in which they loaned him a percentage of the selling price for each car he was trying to sell, with the understanding that each time one of the financed cars was sold, he would pay off the entire loan balance for that car.
Times finally became so tight that when Clay sold some cars, he chose not to tell the bank or pay them the monies that he owed. At first this seemed to give Clay some additional time, but since the underlying problem had not been fixed, before long he was faced with the same situation again.
That was when Clay called for some counsel, having run out of options for resolving the dilemma. He was fearful he could soon be facing charges of fraud by the bank. He also had been pondering the possibility of filing for bankruptcy, but was concerned about potential implications of that action both practically and biblically.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
What were some options Clay could have considered the first time he sold cars without paying the bank? How might the scenario have played out differently if he had chosen another option? If you had found yourself in Clay”s situation, what do you think you would have done? What kinds of issues might need to be addressed in a situation like this? Imagining you were his advisor, what specific steps would you recommend for Clay to take? What about the bankruptcy issue – how would you advise that he address that option? Do you think that would be a viable option for Clay as a follower of Jesus Christ?Copyright 2015, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective.
BEST PRACTICES
Based on Proverbs 24:6, “For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory,” Clay called me at Integrity Resource Center for counsel on how to navigate through this tough situation. Through prayer and discussion, together we were able to develop a plan that Clay agreed to implement.
Even though it was difficult and humbling, his necessary initial step was to confess his sin, first to God then to the bank. In 1 John 1:9 it says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We also agreed the issue of reconciliation was important, seeking to avoid further consequences and to restore a relationship of trust between Clay and his lending bank. In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus taught, “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.”
FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
Here are some related passages from the Bible that relate to an issue such as this one: Proverbs 10:9, 11:2-3, 12:19,22, 15:33, 16:18, 20:17,25, 22:4, 24:26; Matthew 5:37; James 5:12
