Twisted moral compass?

[steve-in-kville]

If you had a fellow church brother/sister who you knew were involved in shady business practices or such like, what actions, if any, would you take? I'm giving a wide berth here and am intentionally being vague.

Vote for all that apply, comment as needed.

[barnhart]

The most comfortable thing would be to ignore and move on. Recently I have been challenged by Jesus teaching being a person who "makes" peace, not one who avoids conflict. It's also the example he left, he didn't avoid all conflict.

[steve-in-kville]

The most comfortable thing would be to ignore and move on. Recently I have been challenged by Jesus teaching being a person who "makes" peace, not one who avoids conflict. It's also the example he left, he didn't avoid all conflict.

I see your point. I think for me, if I'm not the victim its easy to turn a blind eye to the situation. Shouldn't be that way, but so often it is.

[Josh]

I ticked the "Matthew 18" box, but let's face it, I'll probably choose "Mind my own business. Let someone else rat them out." next time I'm faced with this.

[Ken]

I'm curious if your response is going to be different if it is a church member versus a neighbor or co-worker or some other random person that you might know about.

And if so, SHOULD your response be different?

For me the answer is going to partly depend on whether others are being harmed. If I suspect someone's business is cheating on their taxes then I'm kind of meh...That is between them and the government. However if I think people are being exploited or harmed, the business is illegally polluting, or doing something else that harms actual people or the community then I'm more inclined to do something. But that "something" is likely to depend on the specific circumstances.

[temporal1]

“Something else?” Prayer first.
Some prayers are fervent+painful.

i’m dealing with this right now, after years+years of making every constructive choice in modeling, supporting right choices, praying fervently, etc. Leading by positive example.

Now wondering if it’s time to step further .. ?? It’s really hard. Sin hurts far beyond the immediate. Sometimes reaching into generations.

Still, i have made no evident change. i’m not sure i will. i’m not sure what’s right.
i do believe in, “first, do no harm.”

sometimes harm is done no matter good intentions.

sometimes there is a lot at stake, and no guarantees.

On this matter, i’m haunted with the troubling question God may ask (why wouldn’t He?) -
“You knew, you did nothing.” i do not want to pass with this on my conscience.

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[JimFoxvog]

I ticked the "Matthew 18" box, but let's face it, I'll probably choose "Mind my own business. Let someone else rat them out." next time I'm faced with this.

I understand well. I checked Matthew 18 as it is the right thing to do, but have had experiences when it did not work out which makes it emotionally harder. I have also failed to follow Matthew 18 at times.

[steve-in-kville]

And if so, SHOULD your response be different?

Yes and no. Typically I have found that a person's sin will find them out. To that end, its not fun being accused of something based on someone's "hunch" or perception. If someone is being hurt, I would be quicker to tell someone.

As far as tax evasion and such like, we have too many mennonite accountants in our area (that also fancy themselves lawyers) that have the local mennonite population convinced that cheating on taxes is justified and okay... but that is a thread for another time....

[Josh]

And if so, SHOULD your response be different?

Yes and no. Typically I have found that a person's sin will find them out. To that end, its not fun being accused of something based on someone's "hunch" or perception. If someone is being hurt, I would be quicker to tell someone.

As far as tax evasion and such like, we have too many mennonite accountants in our area (that also fancy themselves lawyers) that have the local mennonite population convinced that cheating on taxes is justified and okay... but that is a thread for another time....

I'm glad to hear that Mennonite accounts are just like non-Mennonite accountants. By the way, term is "tax minimisation", not "cheating on taxes".

[Grace]

And if so, SHOULD your response be different?

Yes and no. Typically I have found that a person's sin will find them out. To that end, its not fun being accused of something based on someone's "hunch" or perception. If someone is being hurt, I would be quicker to tell someone.

I agree. Over the years I have seen someone who engaged in very unethical business practices, and a bishop who looked the other way, because that business individual really padded the offering plate and catered to the bishop. Any concerns expressed by the other ministry was squelched by the bishop. That went on for many years, but eventually both the business man and the bishop were faced with some extremely hard trials in their lives. The underlying issue was the sin of pride and pride always comes before a fall. Sometimes the Lord has a way of eventually dealing with sin. And when the Lord deals with the sin, it seems to be so much harder than if the individual would repent on their own and turn from their sinful ways.

I also agree, if someone is being hurt, telling someone is a good idea.