當我開始從事銀行事業時，工作責任之一是調查銀行欺騙。其中一個舞弊案件涉及一位銀行的總裁，很顯然的他認為自己的工資和福利雖然非常可觀，但還是不夠。

為了「調整」這個問題，這位銀行的高層主管開始製作虛假的出差費用申請，聲稱他每月多次開車去公司總部，單程4小時。隨著他的消費習慣不斷增加，他的欺騙範圍也不斷擴大。貪得無厭的欲望驅使他想要更多，讓他更積極的偽造差旅報銷。

然而，就如經常發生的案例，這位高管的欺騙行徑不可能永遠被隱瞞。一位銀行出納員發現了這項欺騙，並舉發了銀行總裁的行為。他因此被逮捕，在法庭上受審，被判詐欺罪，並送進監獄。

可悲的是，欺騙行為在我們這個時代很常見，甚至可能很猖獗。無論是金融業、製造業、零售業還是任何其他領域的工作，都有一些人不滿足於他們所擁有的。我們看到曾經位高權重並有名望的人，他們的生活被貪婪、驕傲、羨慕、嫉妒和其他被聖經定義為「罪」的動機所摧毀。

從聖經中我們可以了解到很多關於這種狀況的信息，聖經警告我們欺騙可能會導致嚴重的後果：不僅是對犯下不誠實罪行的個人，也對他們的家人和許多信任和依賴他們的人造成影響。以下是一些聖經中的例子：

貪得無厭的破壞性力量。當欲望不受控制時，對「多少才夠？」這個問題的回答總是「再多一點」。「陰間和滅亡永不滿足；人的眼目也是如此。」（箴言27章20節）「貪戀財利的，擾害己家；恨惡賄賂的，必得存活。」（箴言15章27節）

短暫的甜頭卻有永久的惡果。欺騙行為總是專注在短期目的，而忽略了不誠實可能對一個人的工作、事業、聲譽、生活造成長期的破壞。人的生命中「不勞而得之財必然消耗；勤勞積蓄的，必見加增。（箴言13章11節）「不義之財毫無益處；惟有公義能救人脫離死亡。」（箴言10章2節）

選擇知足常樂的智慧勝過貪圖更多。我們要下定決心對所擁有的一切知足，以正直和高尚的道德標準來推展自己的事業，這能防止難以想像的痛苦和折磨。「求你使虛假和謊言遠離我；使我也不貧窮也不富足；賜給我需用的飲食， 恐怕我飽足不認你，說：耶和華是誰呢？又恐怕我貧窮就偷竊，以致褻瀆我上帝的名。」（箴言30章8-9節）

你能想像那個銀行總裁的經歷和感覺嗎？他陷入了謊言和欺騙的網羅中。要知道欺騙行為隨時都可能被揭露，並且生活和周圍的一切都可能被摧毀。學會約束自己，在我們財務能力範圍內花費，比不誠實以及遭受日後所有潛在的懲罰更有益處。

版權所有 @2022，非常規商業網絡。經“UBN Integrity Moments”許可改編，這是一篇關於工作中信仰問題的評論。 UBN 是一個為國際小企業社區服務的信仰事工。

備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請考慮以下經文：

箴言10章9節
10:9行正直路的，步步安穩；走彎曲道的，必致敗露。
箴言11章3節
11:3正直人的純正必引導自己；奸詐人的乖僻必毀滅自己。
箴言13章6節
13:6行為正直的，有公義保守；犯罪的，被邪惡傾覆。
箴言15章16節
15:16少有財寶，敬畏耶和華，強如多有財寶，煩亂不安。
箴言17章23節
17:23惡人暗中受賄賂，為要顛倒判斷。
箴言20章17節
20:17以虛謊而得的食物，人覺甘甜；但後來，他的口必充滿塵沙。
馬太福音6章13節
6:13不叫我們遇見試探；救我們脫離凶惡 ( – 或譯：脫離惡者)。因為國度、權柄、榮耀，全是你的，直到永遠。阿們 ( – 有古卷沒有因為…阿們等字)！
哥林多前書10章12-13節
10:12 所以，自己以為站得穩的，須要謹慎，免得跌倒。
10:13 你們所遇見的試探，無非是人所能受的。上帝是信實的，必不叫你們受試探過於所能受的；在受試探的時候，總要給你們開一條出路，叫你們能忍受得住。

反省與問題討論

1. 你認為為什麽對一些人來說，無論是報銷假的費用、挪用公款、甚或是偷竊等欺騙行為，是如此具有吸引力呢？
2. 即使意識到嚴重的後果，有些人仍然持續欺騙的計劃。為什麽那些可能的懲罰，甚至被判刑入獄，都不足以阻止他們不誠實的行為呢？
3. 一個人可以採取什麽措施來避免誘惑，就是不走倫理道德路徑，只為了追求貪婪和自私欲望的那些誘惑。
4. 一個人對上帝的信心和對聖經原則的認識，如何能成為防止落入這種誘惑的保障？

THE DESTRUCTIVE COST OF DECEPTION

By Rick Boxx

When I began my banking career, among my responsibilities was the investigation of bank frauds. One of the fraud cases I worked on concerned a bank president who apparently had determined his salary and benefits, although very sizable, were not enough. 

To “correct” this problem, this top banking executive began producing false travel expense reports, claiming that he was driving to corporate headquarters, four hours each way, multiple times a month. As his spending habits continued to grow, so did the scope of his deception. His insatiable desire for more caused him to become more aggressive with his falsified travel claims. 

As is so often the case, however, the executive’s fraudulent activities could not be concealed forever. A bank teller uncovered the fraud and reported the bank president’s actions. He was arrested, tried in a court of law, convicted of fraud, and sent to prison. 

Sadly, fraudulent practices are common in our times, perhaps even rampant. Whether it is the financial industry, manufacturing, retailing or any other field of endeavor, there are those who are not satisfied with what they have. People once highly regarded and held positions of authority have seen their lives destroyed, driven by greed, pride, envy, jealousy, and other motivations the Bible defines as “sin.”

We can learn much from the Scriptures about such practices, warnings of the severe consequences that can result – not only for the individuals committing dishonest acts, but also to their families and many who trusted and relied upon them. Here are some examples:

Destructive power of insatiable greed. When desire is not controlled, the answer to the question, “How much is enough?” is always, “Just a little bit more.” “Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man” (Proverbs 27:20). “A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live” (Proverbs 15:27).

Temporary rewards with permanent consequences. Fraud always focuses on short-term objectives, ignoring the long-term ruin such dishonesty can cause – to one’s job, a career, a reputation, a life. “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Proverbs 13:11). “Ill-gotten treasure is of no value, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 10:2).

Wisdom of choosing contentment over the lust for more. Determining to be satisfied with whatever we have and resolving to advance one’s career with integrity and high ethical standards, can prevent unimaginable pain and suffering. “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9).


Can you even conceive of what it must have been like for that bank president, caught up in a web of lies and deception, knowing that at any moment his acts of fraud could be exposed and his life and everything around him could be destroyed? Learning to discipline ourselves to live within our financial means is more profitable than dishonesty, with all its potential penalties.

Copyright 2022, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think it is so appealing to some people to commit acts of fraud, whether making false expense claims, embezzling, or stealing?
2. Even being aware of severe consequences, these individuals still move forward with their deceptive schemes. Why is it those possible penalties – even being sentenced to prison – do not serve as sufficient for deterring their dishonesty?
3. What steps can a person take to avoid the temptations of taking ethical or moral shortcuts, all in the pursuit of greedy and selfish desires?
4. How can one’s faith in God and understanding of principles from the Bible serve as safeguards against falling into such temptations?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:     Proverbs 10:9, 11:3, 13:6, 15:16, 17:23, 20:17; Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

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