John Stanko

"The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus" - Luke 16:14.

The definition of sneering is "to smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner." The Pharisees weren't sneering because they disagreed with Jesus' theology, but because they loved money, and their love of money caused them to have contempt for God and His word. In other words, God was bad for their business of religion. What's more, they were showing their disdain in all probability by smiling at Him. Leaders must guard against the love of money, for it will cause them to look past what is best for the organization, the followers, or the customers and focus solely on the bottom line—or their own paycheck. And leaders must make sure their love of money doesn't cause them to laugh at, speak against, or mock God and His directives for their business behavior and practices.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to examine your level of love for money. How generous are you and your organization? Do you invest time and money into your employees, your community, or your customer care? How much and to what causes? Do you pay the utility company whatever it wants but scoff at a bonus for those who serve you or the company? Does your love for money cause you to scoff at biblical principles because they are 'bad' for business?