Do you know what a scoundrel is? The term is defined as a dishonest or unscrupulous person. Hearing the word reminds some of us of the bad guys and gals in Disney movies or your favorite movie. I cant speak for anyone else, but I am happy to not be a scoundrel. Ever!
Yet, we live in a world where scoundrels and their habits are the norm. That was also the case thousands of years ago when the incidents that made it into the Bible occurred. Scoundrels were aplenty back then, such as the young men who advised Rehoboam (King Solomon's son and successor) wrongly. His itching ears followed their recommendation and not those of his late father's counselors. The result was catastrophic with the nation splitting into two. The Bible doesn't mince words, calling these men scoundrels in more than one translation of 2 Chronicles 13:7. It is clear that these young men were unwise.
Then there were the two men who worked with Jezebel to steal Naboth's land from out under him. The occult queen described her plan in 1 Kings 21:10 - But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” Other Bible translations call these men 'worthless' suggesting that scoundrels are equally worthless people.
The Bible gives even more insight on such types. Isaiah 32:7 - Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. Proverbs 16:27 tells us, A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. There's also 1 Samuel 2:12 which states, Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the LORD.
When we put all of these together, we get a better picture of scoundrels and what they do.
You're likely wondering what all of this has to do with business and entrepreneurship? Plenty. We live in a world where many, if not most, are wicked, especially when it comes to business and money. People plotting evil is the norm, and the fact that most have no regard for God is a well documented fact.
Many of us believers may even exhibit some of these scoundrel characteristics if we're being honest with ourselves. We might be ready to do anything and everything to ensure our businesses succeed and our names be written in lights. Or, we might act like Nabal, whose own wife called him a acoundrel, and repay kindness with evil as he did to David (1 Samuel 25:25 in the NIV, BSB, NKJV, MSB, and NAB).
As believers, we can't afford to act like scoundrels. Further, we cant afford to do business with them even if everyone else would. We must remain mindful of God's expectations both in our 'civilian' life and when we don our entrepreneurial hat. We don't want to end up like Nabal. He died. Same thing happened to Eli's sons.
Knowing that God will help us and bless the works of our hands should fuel us to reject the ways of the scoundrels and instead adopt the ways of God's servants, even in the hyper-competitive market place. May we walk aligned with God always. May our walk with the Lord in business cause others to acknowledge God and turn from being scoundrels, IJMN, Amen.