Going Beyond What The Law Requires

by Rick Boxx

When you think about the rules and regulations that affect you in the workplace, whether they are broad-based laws that apply to everyone or statutes that were designed specifically for your industry or profession, how do you deal with them?

Do you comply only to the minimum extent required, choosing to abide strictly to the “letter of the law,” or would you consider the sometimes broader “spirit of the law” – the underlying and sometimes more demanding intent behind it?

For years I have consulted with business and professional leaders, helping them to grasp and understand biblical principles that apply to the everyday marketplace. When I began doing this, it became evident that to avoid the danger of not practicing what I was teaching, I had to do an honest “self-appraisal.” This included examining my life for any past issues that I ignored or had not properly resolved. To be honest, doing this can be humbling and uncomfortable, but I felt it was necessary and important for my integrity as a consultant.

I became convicted about a small, unpaid corporate debt from a previous business I had owned.

Although the financial obligation was corporate, and legally I had no personal responsibility, God made it clear that He wanted all of my business dealings to be beyond reproach.

As a result, I tracked down the business that was still owed money by my former company and sent them a check for the proper amount. The owners were more than surprised – they were amazed. They called not only to thank me but also to tell me that since the debt had been written off and removed from their financial records, they donated the payment to a local church.

Without question, I could have overlooked the unpaid debt. It was a legally constructed corporate entity – a business that no longer existed – that technically owed the money. Since my personal finances were not involved in any way, legally I had no responsibility. That was what the letter of the law would have said. However, as a follower of Jesus Christ, committed to living and working with integrity, I could not use that excuse. The spirit of the law, I knew, would have said differently.

How could I speak with and advise leaders in the workplace about honesty and integrity if I were not willing to hold myself to the same standards?

In the Bible’s New Testament, Ephesians 5:3 teaches, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” God’s standards – as He reveals in the Scriptures – often exceed the law, but if we are to be effective and credible as His ambassadors, it is essential for us to live accordingly.

My purpose is not to put anyone under a guilt trip. However, if God brings to your mind something you have done that should be corrected – or something you need to do – I urge you to follow through on that as soon as possible. Even if it means going beyond what the law requires. You will not regret it.

Proverbs 30:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.9 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.

Matthew 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. How do you think most people regard laws and regulations, especially in the workplace? Do they comply with the “bare minimum,” or are they inclined to do what is right – even if not legally required to do so?

2. What about you? Would it depend on the circumstances involved? Why or why not?

3. Would you see any practical business benefit that could come from doing more than you are absolutely mandated to do? If so, what might that be?

4.   Where should spiritual convictions fit into such considerations? Do you think this is a spiritual issue at all, or do you think an individual – or company – should simply do as their competitors would do, or according to what everyone else does in their profession or industry? Explain your answer.