Week three in Business 110 we are learning about Honesty and Business Ethics. Elder Robbins had an inspirited message where he gave us 4 levels of business. The lowest level is Filthy Lucre. It’s when you not only do business just for the love of money but you also work at the peril of others—drugs, liquor, etc. The next level up is where you also work for the love of money but work in deceptive advertising and the customer is not considered an asset but an annoyance. Level B still has your primary motivation as a love of money but you do love your fellow man and care for your customer. The level to reach in Elder Robbin’s eyes is level A. It’s here that you seek the Kingdom of God before you seek for riches.

I do struggle with this concept because I don’t know where the line is to be drawn. If you are seeking the Kingdom of God first, wouldn’t you just live on simple means, have the simplest amount of basic food like rice, beans, fruits, and vegetables, and spend a minimal amount of time working and most of your day serving others?

As a religious woman, I’ve had to break through some thoughts I’ve had about money. In my businesses I’ve tended to price my product low because I don’t want to sin and love money. Those thoughts have affected my family and our income. I would love to see more levels between level B and level A. Can I as a business owner, work hard, love the Lord, and be motivated by money?