I remember this incident from the time I worked in the corporate world as if it happened yesterday. Our leadership group had a session with a skills development consultant. the subject was the ethics on which you built your life, not only at work, but at home as well. We were asked to write down a few things like our epitaph, negative and positive ethical values, etc.

I thought long about this, especially the one about what your epitaph would be. Almost like a one-liner that you would leave to the world. I thought long and hard about the line of words that I would want to leave one day. I would be grateful if people would write as my epitaph: He made a difference!

Writing down the negative, that I would never pursue, and the positive ethical values that form the basis of my purpose in life, was actually easy.

Honesty, transparency, not taking money under the counter, treating others with respect, to live love, and much more, flowed easily from my pen. It was an enjoyable session.

Afterwards I returned to my office. We discussed the use of the bakkie to transport people to work. Suddenly people made the most unfair demands: Everybody had to pay the same, no matter where they got on. This transport was a privilege, not a right. I was angry at the people who simply wanted to take what they wanted, not caring who suffered as a result. I started picking up speed and speaking louder and louder.

As soon as the words were out, I stopped. I was ashamed. that morning the ink flowed easily about the ethical values I supported and that formed part of my make-up, but now? A few minutes later I had to bow my head in shame, because my mouth did not respect others. In a way my ethical wheels came off.

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul is teaching Timothy about ethics. He teaches him how to work with people and how to treat them:

• Do not slander others.
• Treat people as if they were your own family.
• Treat people with respect so that they will respect you too.
• Look closely at people who suffer – give them hope and relief.
• Show how grateful you are for everything.
• He even gives a warning – do not let go of your values for the sake of financial difficulties and sell your body for money.
• Do not do the wrong things.
• Care for your families.

Yes, we’re quick to list values and ethical things, but what happens when things don’t go as we want them to? When we look at these pieces of advice by Paul, in how many of them did fail recently?

But let’s not become pessimistic. this is probably a reminder to all of us to reconsider the values that form our foundation, so that living them can become part of every day.

Scripture

1 Timothy 5:1-8

Reflection

What will/is going to/must be written on your headstone one day?
What values form the foundation of your life?
What can you do to ensure that you live it in all circumstances?

Prayer

Father, You teach us real ethics. You take us by the hand and show us the right way to live. I want to walk in your footsteps every day. Amen.