Fleshly desires held in check

The Bible is clear that in as much as it depends upon us that we should make an effort to get along with everyone. It tells us not to let the sun go down while we are angry with someone, but to go to them and try to settle our differences before even one day passes. One of the things for which I am most proud is the fact that in thirty five years of doing business that I have never sued anyone or been sued. This is amazing and actually a phenomenal record when one thinks of the thousands of employees with whom I have dealt and perhaps hundreds of thousands of contracts, partnerships and deals I have consummated through my eight businesses over a thirty five year period of time.

I have come close on several occasions, because through the years several companies and individuals have violated agreements and been dishonest with me and I have been angry almost beyond control about these incidents, but in the end it never made sense to pursue it through our illustrious court system. The closest I have come to actually going to court was I did have a former employee try to file a frivolous lawsuit against our company one time in an effort to obtain undeserved money, but the judge dismissed it with a summary judgment before it ever went to trial because it was groundless and absurd.


One thing for which I take some pride is that I am totally honest, and if I owe someone money, then I pay it. I once had a buddy who rooted for the “wrong” team in our football rivalry. We always bet five dollars on the game between our two teams. I won every year and was never obnoxious or overbearing in trying to rub it in when my team won and I collected my money (Well maybe just a little). He on the other hand, when his team finally did win a game, was a complete jerk about it. In fact it was so bad, I was sorely tempted not to pay up at all; however even with this simple bet I was determined to pay what I owed. I paid him five dollars, which I paid in pennies conveniently immersed in a bottle of pancake syrup. I thought that was pretty funny until the following year when I got it back after my team won again.

I believe the secret to avoiding lawsuits has been that I have tried my best to get along with everyone and to treat people like I would like to be treated. Even when I am mistreated I try to negotiate a fair settlement using reasonable logic to find a solution and dissuade our going to court about it. When someone is unreasonable and it is obvious that we will never be capable of getting along, I have been successful in negotiating a settlement in which both sides can find agreement and go our separate ways.

This is not to say that I have not “wanted” to sue someone, or better beat the snot out of them, but fleshly desires held in check are the true test of one’s willpower and often faith. The Bible is clear that we should use our discretion, (which means we have the “ability” to do this if we choose to use it), to control our anger and overlook those transgressions against us that will surely come.

This is recorded in the book of Proverbs. It was written by King Solomon and the Bible states that no man will ever be wiser or richer than King Solomon was and it is interesting to read his advice about various matters including several verses concerning this subject. In fact hardly a day ever passes that I do not read something in Proverbs. Try it you will like it

Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man makes
him slow to anger,
And his glory is to overlook a
transgression.