| Answers to some of the most frequently asked | | | | that our conduct is in keeping with "children of the |
| questions in the Global economy. | | | | light" amidst this darkened world (Prov 20:11; Jam |
| As we continue our discussion on The importance of | | | | 3:13). Here is the standard we are called to in God's |
| Ethics in the marketplace, we will address today in | | | | word, "but as he who called you is holy, you also be |
| this Q&A session, some rules that the broker | | | | holy in all your conduct" (1Pet 1:15 esv).b. Avoid greed |
| should follow. Some of it you may find to be | | | | When you are servicing a customer that you have |
| common sense, and some of it you may find to be | | | | come to know, it is very easy to become |
| new to you. However, it all boils down to putting into | | | | presumptuous in our actions. Making assumptions |
| practice those things that will encourage habitual | | | | especially when we are processing applications and |
| ethical behavior which will lead to a long term career | | | | fulfilling the clients wishes or instructions. In this case, |
| built on integrity. | | | | the opportunity may present itself where you are |
| Here is a synopsis of what we covered on question 1 | | | | required to charge fees for certain services as is |
| : How do ethics affect the stock broker on Wall | | | | necessary. This is where your discretion is depended |
| Street? | | | | upon to be fair and reasonable. However, in most |
| We addressed several areas that the stock broker | | | | cases, you are required to inform the client of your |
| should examine and seek to improve where | | | | fees up front at the time of opening the investors |
| improvement is necessary. They are:a. Misleading the | | | | account. Those being said don't take advantage of |
| clientb. Lack of full disclosurec. Breach of | | | | people's trust in you by manipulating fees charged. 1 |
| Confidentialityd. Neglecting to offer Alternatives | | | | Kings 8:61 declares, "Let your heart therefore be |
| OK, now you've closed some great deals and you've | | | | wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his |
| been doing this for some time. You may say that | | | | statutes and keeping his commandments..."c. Flee |
| you are just like the average guy that's trying to | | | | unethical behavior & practice |
| provide for their family. You have a mortgage and | | | | The Apostle Peter penned these words in 1Pet. 2:12, |
| school fees to pay for your kids that's in an elite | | | | "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, |
| private school. Why would you need to give thought | | | | so that when they speak against you as evildoers, |
| of rules. You are doing a good job. You're winning | | | | they may see your good deeds and glorify God on |
| awards at the office as one of the top performers | | | | the day of visitation." Let us make sure that our |
| and your boss likes the results you are getting for | | | | conduct exudes Christ that when our deeds are |
| the company, who cares about rules. Rules are made | | | | examined under the ever watchful eyes of those in |
| to be broken. | | | | authority over us, both corporate and governmental, |
| Everyone does it anyway. After all, you need that | | | | our works may prove to be that of veracity.d. Don't |
| bonus that you've been working so hard towards all | | | | engage in fraud |
| year. You want to maintain or improve your lifestyle | | | | In the case of Bernard Madoff we can see how the |
| and afford or buy some of the finer things in life for | | | | mighty falls. His story conveys the message that |
| you and your family. Like take that great vacation to | | | | when you gain the trust of another and betray that |
| the Bahamas or that nice European car you been | | | | trust you capture God's attention - that justice may |
| planning to buy. | | | | be rewarded (cf. Psa 103:6; Jam 5:4). The things that |
| God's word declares "A man without self-control is | | | | you might have thought you had gotten away with, |
| like a city broken into and left without walls." (Prov. | | | | surely will come back to haunt you and you will be |
| 25:28 - esv). Also, James 1:14-15 (esv) says, "But | | | | repaid. Proverbs 28:6(esv) says, "Better is a poor |
| each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed | | | | man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is |
| by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived | | | | crooked in his ways".e. Avoid bribes & |
| gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings | | | | exorbitant gifts |
| forth death." We have seen the evidence of when | | | | A good example of how this can tarnish your name |
| these scriptures are violated in light of what recently | | | | and ruin your legacy is the damage the act of |
| took place with Bernard Madoff in March 2009. | | | | engaging in or taking bribe has caused an otherwise |
| John Piper has a saying, "God is most glorified in us, | | | | productive citizen in the person of former Senator |
| when we are most satisfied in Him". That being said, | | | | Ted Stevens from Alaska. |
| let us look at some basic rules that you may want to | | | | When we as children of God adhere to the things |
| follow from a biblical perspective, that will serve as a | | | | that please the Lord, we will preserve our good |
| guide and that will aid you in becoming the greatest | | | | name and a good character will be the hallmark of |
| stock broker God intended you to be. | | | | our reward both among men and in the sight of the |
| Q & A: | | | | Lord (cf. Deu 16:19, Psa 15:2-5; 31:24; Prov. 22:1; ). The |
| 2. What are some rules a broker should follow? | | | | Lord calls those that receive bribes - "the wicked" (cf. |
| God has put in place some precepts that if violated, | | | | Prov 17:23). |
| would produce dire consequences for the one who | | | | Thought for consideration |
| neglects them. Some of them are as follows:a. | | | | We must at all times posses a kingdom focused |
| Respect the code of conduct | | | | mindset, living a life ever Before the Face of God, |
| The NASB has put in place Conduct Rules for | | | | displaying Christ in our deeds and actions. In this |
| Registered Representatives and Investment Bankers | | | | world today it's not easy to live up to the standards |
| to be guided by. Even though these rules are in place, | | | | of Christ in our workplace and business, especially |
| for some reason, some people see it as a pleasure | | | | given the fact that we are dealing with so many |
| to take liberty in challenging these rules. Doing | | | | personalities and pressures of this competitive |
| whatever they can seemingly get away with - for | | | | marketplace. Beside, nothing worth having is ever |
| the moment. However, we as children of the | | | | easy. We are called to be perfect (cf. Matt 5:48). Let |
| Kingdom, are to show Christ's character as we work | | | | us continually press toward the goal of sanctification |
| "as unto the Lord" in the workplace. Let make sure | | | | in Christ. |