TO THE timeworn proverb, “Honesty pays,” the modern cynic retorts, “But not enough!” Echoing this view, the book The Importance of Lying asserts that honesty “may be a noble ideal, but it has little value in the life-and-death struggle for survival and security. Man has little choice in the matter. He must lie to live.”

Do you believe that? Many businessmen do. So common is dishonesty that ‘You can do anything as long as you don’t get caught’ is the advertising appeal for a “family game” about operating businesses. But dishonesty is not a “game” for those using it in business. They often rationalize: “You can’t afford not to.”

As for conscience, Daniel Drew, an unscrupulous financier of the last century, said this: “We didn’t split hairs about trifles . . . A prickly conscience would be like a white silk apron for a blacksmith. Sometimes you’ve got to get your hands dirty.”

Yet there are those who justify dishonesty by saying, “That’s business.” They try to put the responsibility on the consumer, saying “Caveat emptor,” “Let the buyer beware.” But is dishonesty under the cloak of “business” somehow more legitimate? Can a thief say, “Let my victims beware,” to shed responsibility for his theft? The Bible puts business dishonesty and outright theft in the same category. The Mosaic law says: “You must not steal nor deal deceitfully or fraudulently with your neighbour. . . . You must not exploit or rob your neighbour.”​—Lev. 19:11, 13, The Jerusalem Bible; compare Jeremiah 21:12; Psalm 62:10; Leviticus 6:2-5.

Consistent with this, Jesus called “robbers” those who were changing money and selling sacrificial animals at the temple in Jerusalem. (Matt. 21:12, 13) Why? They had a “captive audience” and charged exorbitant prices. The practice is even reported unfavorably in the Jewish Mishnah. Jesus apparently viewed such business dealings as a form of extortion or “robbery.”

Businessmen certainly do not consider themselves in the same class as thieves. Yet the Bible exposes those who get profit by deceptive methods as just that​—thieves. Misleading advertising, use of substandard materials, charging for unnecessary work or parts never installed, hiding defects in used merchandise, cheating on income tax, accepting or giving bribes​—these are just a few dishonest practices employed by some to “steal” what does not rightfully belong to them. The Bible’s command to thieves of all kinds is: “Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work, doing with his hands what is good work.” (Eph. 4:28)