DON'T TEMPT ME...WELL IF YOU INSIST
This is a parable about Harry A.

Harry was an executive with a middle-sized manufacturing company. He was active in a church and a Bible study group.Lately, though, Harry had been wrestling with a problem: He was having trouble seeing how the principles of the Bible applied to the decisions and challenges he faced at work. As he looked around his chrome-and-glass office with its computer terminal and tenth-story view of city streets jammed with cars, he wondered how Jesus' life and teachings fit into it all.

One morning Harry received a phone call from Mr. Z, the president of a competing firm. Mr. Z asked Harry to have lunch with him that day.
"Harry," Mr. Z began when they were seated at the table, "I want you to come to work for my company."
Mr. Z pulled a sheet of paper out of his brief case. "This is a list of the salaries of our top executives. You could be one of them."
Harry looked at the six-figure salaries on the sheet. "It's...it's certainly impressive, Mr. Z," he stammered.

You could be on that list," Mr. Z replied. "All it would take would be for you to...ahem...bring along a few files, maybe a few computer disks, new product forecasts for your company, sketches of new designs....You know, a few things like that.

"By the way," Mr. Z went on, "I happened to drive by your, ahem, rather modest house the other evening. Quite a contrast with the luxurious homes our executives are able to afford!

"And another thing, Harry, Mr. Z. continued, "about your company president, Mr. C ---you know, he has a lot of confidence in you. I think he would give you a preview of his long-range plan for the company if you ask him about it. Having that information would certainly, uh, enhance our management team."

Harry's head was spinning. "I really appreciate your offer, Mr. Z," he said finally. "May I think it over and call you tomorrow?"

At home that night, harry read in Matthew 4 about Jesus' temptation in the desert. He read about the devil offering Jesus bread when He was hungry after his forty-days fast. "It is written," Jesus replied, "man doe not live on bread alone (verse 4).

Nor by a bigger house or higher salary, Harry thought to himself.
He read on, about how the devil offered Jesus power over all the kingdoms of the world. Power and prestige like MR. Z offered me, Harry thought.

The next morning, in his modern office with its electronic gadgets and high-tech decor, Harry found that the teachings of Jesus fit right in. He knew now, for sure, what answer he would give to Mr. Z.

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, as I face choices and temptations today and in the days to come, give me the insight to know what You would choose, and the strength to choose it for myself. Amen."