Proverbs 17:23 “The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.”

Principle: Integrity is the top of the scale and directional changes are downward for all concerned.

I heard about a man who took a position with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. It was a position of great power filled with opportunities for bribery.

This man announced a personal policy of accepting no gifts from anyone, anytime. In the first week of December, a large developer sent a ham, which he promptly returned with a note. No gifts – not even edibles.

Next year the same developer, which sent out hundreds of the hams, sent another. This time the recipient forwarded it to a charitable group.

The next year he handed the ham over to the person planning the Christmas party for the office.

The following year he used the ham at a personal Christmas party for some very nice people in city government.

The following year, around the second week of December, he wondered why his ham had not yet arrived and was aggravated about it.

Talk about a slippery slope.

Discussion:

1. In what ways have gradually lowered ethical standards affected you?

2. What benefits are there in full disclosure policies such as gift giving?

3. What are gift giving limits in your industry or profession?