What would you do?

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. Titus 2:9-10

After several years of commuting back and forth to the office and dropping your child off at a day care center, you are given the opportunity of working at home. Your employer provides the computer and pays for your Internet connection. No longer do you punch in and out. No one is watching to see if you are working, or shopping and talking with a friend on the phone.

How, then, would you handle the following situations?

Scenario 1: Your phone rings and an old friend whom you have not seen for a long time wants to meet you for lunch or to have coffee. If anyone calls, you can field the contact using your cell phone. Nobody would know that you took off three hours. Is this ethical or unethical?

Scenario 2: On days when you finish your work early, is it okay to do housework or head to the gym or do grocery shopping as long as you are available for phone calls? Is it ethical or unethical?

Scenario 3: Your daughter needs to do a report and use the Internet for research. Your computer is sitting there. Nobody from your office logs your time on the Internet, and besides, no one will ever know what you do evenings or how the equipment is used. Is this ethical or unethical?

Scripture clearly teaches right and wrong that is not dependent on “getting the job done” or whether you can get away with something. Paul wrote, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17 kjv). That’s still what God requires.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead,, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:23-27