Well, it’s about that time again. Whether you are a fan of Halloween or not, you can’t deny it’s power and influence on the marketplace.   Where do you draw the line on what you will participate in and what you won’t participate in?  I am surrounded by many different views on this subject. A buddy of mine played in a band who’s lead singer used to always say, “business is business” all while preparing his Sunday School lesson at a side table between sets at a local bar.  He saw no problem with singing sexually explicit songs on stage one minute and the next prepping for a Sunday School lesson he would teach less than 12 hours later.  I also have a friend who believes you should not expose yourself or your children to anything at all associated with Halloween, not even Harvest Festivals at church. I have another friend who owns a restaurant that has a bar as part of it’s decor and sell a lot of alcohol to his customers.  All of these people have strong moral convictions, yet they hold very different opinions on where to draw the line.

Recently I was asked to design a drumstick layout for a client having a silhouette of a naked woman on it.  Yes, I did not make that up.  I was shocked when I got the request.  Here is where some people struggle in making moral decisions while running a business.  My client wasn’t asking for my convictions, he was asking for drumsticks. If I agreed to make them, I would make a nice profit. End of story, right?  Not exactly.  I have a strong faith in the fact that God is my ultimate provider, not drumsticks.  Do I have to do things while running a business that compromise my faith and moral convictions?  I have enough stories to back up my answer, not to mention what I believe the Bible teaches on the subject.  I chose not to make the sticks and he found another manufacturer to make them.  Did I mention how I had one of the largest 2 week periods following my decision?  Isn’t that how it usually happens?  When you are faithful in the little things, God will bless you in much.

I recently had a meeting with a prominent businessman who’s company did upward of $50 million last year. He struck me as a very moral man with high standards.  He seemed to be someone I should aspire to as I grow in my own business.  I was floored to learn soon after our meeting that his company often pays for their sales team to take out clients to strip clubs on the company credit card.  Not once, but multiple times.  To this day I am still without words in this matter.  I couldn’t possibly sleep if I knew a portion of my money was knowingly going to support such behavior.  Why do I bring up this issue?  Simply to say there is no simple answer.  I am not called to be anyone’s judge, but to be focused on what I feel God has called me to do. 

I love the phrase my grandmother used to say, “Every tub has to sit on it’s own bottom”.  I try and adhere to this policy when talking with others about moral issues in business, but it is often hard when I have been rewarded so much for making what I feel are the right decisions.  My challange to you is this:  Ask yourself what would my kids think?  Would I be embarrased if my decision was published in the paper?  And finally, what do you feel God would have you do?  If you don’t know the answer, then ask Him to show you.

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So what about the Halloween drumsticks?  I decided to sell them on my website.  I don’t have a hangup about Halloween.  My kids are going as Princesses and I may even pull out an Elvis suit.  However, there will be one big difference.  Elvis will be going as a drummer!