A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original review appears below. Jack Charleson is an elder and Chairman of Evangelism, Bridlewood Presbyterian Church, Agincourt, Ontario, a bank manager, and Chairman, Steering Committee, Mission Ontario.
Winning through Integrity. Cliff C. Jones, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1985, 160 pp.
Business life brings many pressures on Christians and all too easily fall into the patterns of non-believers. How often do we suggest we get together with someone but fail to carry through on that suggestion? Do we make appointments and get caught up in some meeting or other and neglect to call to advise we will be late — or may not even be able to keep the appointment? These situations arise frequently in the business world and all too often Christians in business are no better than others. Since our Lord has directed that we should seek to be perfect, as our father in heaven is perfect, surely Christians in the business world need to stand out and their word must be their bond!
In Winning through Integrity, Cliff C. Jones seeks to address many of the issues which face the Christian in the business world. There are manuals for various aspects of business and Cliff Jones seeks to direct the reader to using the Bible as the Christian’s “manual.” He indicates this book is intended “to explain some of the instructions that a Christian or a Jew reads in his Bible. Instructions that the test of time has proven can make the differences between failure and success in business or in any aspect of life.” He goes on to remind us that the Bible, like instruction manuals, is designed to keep us from making mistakes but before we can really follow its direction, we must find out the special meaning particular words have.
The author has had an extensive business career, lecturing on business ethics to employees at several companies. He has sought to apply the standards outlined in his own business life and consequently Winning through Integrity is not simply a list of suggestions, but is rather a document of standards which have been tested in the marketplace.
An excellent chapter on the application of The Ten Commandments in business seeks to direct the Christian in business in a way which will be honouring to God and at the same time meet the requirements of the environment in which he has placed us. When considering the fourth commandment, Cliff Jones reminds us that the instruction manual for a successful life says “working without a break is a mistake.” He goes on to say, “People who work without a day for recreation and exercise are flirting with heart disease and mental problems, which, of course, can be the way to death. Similarly, they may be causing the death of a marital relationship or the loss of the love and affection of their children. Working without a break may seem right, but the Bible says it is a mistake which can cost dearly.” Surely passages such as this can speak to many who are heavily committed to work both in business and the church. Being involved is important, but when we come to the stage where this has a negative impact on our lives and that of our family, then the opportunity of winning through integrity is lessened. Jones goes on to give guidance in how we can cope with such situations in the chapter which deals with how we can keep sane under pressure.
Winning through Integrity outlines the rewards of tithing, building a code of ethics, how to avoid fear, developing a positive self-image and learning to trust, among other aspects of this important challenge to the life of each Christian. While the book is directed primarily at those in the business world, there is also an application for Christians who are not in business. In the concluding chapter Cliff Jones uses the example of Adam when he showed himself spineless and unfaithful to God’s trust. There was a switching point in his life. “Instead of concealment, he could have openly repented and asked for forgiveness. But he chose to hide, and when discovered, he put the blame for his mistake upon his wife and even tried to blame God!” In our lives we have the opportunity to think about what happened to Adam and in order to avoid the same pitfalls, we can make some changes. “Most of them do not require any maj or personality or character changes. It’s more a matter of shifting priorities, recognizing that even a relatively small change now, in time can lead to an enormously different person.”
When we seek to bring the priorities of our life truly into line with those established by our Lord, life takes on a new meaning. Books such as Winning through Integrity can help us along the way.