Originally posted October 26, 2017)
Dear Pastor Joe. My boss wants me to lie for him on the job. When a client calls, if my boss doesn’t want to deal him/her, he tells me to tell the client that he is not in. I want to be truthful. But I also want to keep my job. How do I handle this?
Sincerely,
Struggling Secretary
Dear Struggling Secretary. The first thing is to understand that God always wants us to be truthful. The Psalmist writes: “Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously.” (Psalm 119:29) Paul writes in Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” Once you clearly acknowledge that God wants you to tell the truth, it makes your decision simpler (not easier, but simpler). Just because you really need the job does not mean that God wants you to lie to keep it. He would rather have you to be truthful and unemployed!
Here are some practical tips on how you might want to deal with your boss regarding this:
1. Have a respectful conversation with your boss. Tell him how much you appreciate your job. Then tell him that, as a Christian, you are not comfortable telling clients that he is not in, when he indeed is in. Tell him that you would prefer to say instead, “My boss is presently not available.”
2. Remind your boss that your truthfulness will work to his advantage. If you won’t lie to your boss’s clients, you won’t lie to your boss!
3. Do such a good job that your boss puts up with your “fanaticism” about telling the truth. Do extra work beyond your basic responsibilities. Make yourself indispensible.
4. If your boss still insists that you lie for him, politely but firmly refuse to do so. If that cost’s you your job, trust your Heavenly Father to take care of you. If you honor Him by refusing to lie, do you really think that God will let you starve?
Financial expert Dave Ramsey teaches that all of us should have an emergency fund of 3-6 months of our living expenses. It truly is easier to make the right decision here if you have a little money saved up. But you should make the right decision even if you’re broke! Blessings!
Pastor Joe