Live Life With No Regrets!

First, reciprocity.

Jesus spoke of the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-9). Now, this is one of the few parables that even amazed a pastor friend of mine. Is Jesus advocating dishonest and unethical practices?

I'll leave that to the scholars (but notice immediately that it is written that whoever is dishonest cannot be trusted).

However, the parable is an excellent example of reciprocity. By doing favours for his bosses creditors, he earns himself a welcome when he leaves the company.

Jesus doesn't advocate dishonesty, rather to illustrate the usage of worldly wealth to gain friends, which we Christians don't do very well enough.

Next, commitment and consistency.

The example here includes a Biblical one and something from church history. Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the statue of Nebuchadnezzar. They refused to budge one inch knowing that even a small bow would open the floodgates of compromise.

Another example are the christians in Roman history who refused to say "Caesar is Lord." though it cost them their material possessions and even their lives.

The third principle is that of social proof.

Jesus said that wide and broad is the gate that leads to destruction and urged us to enter through the narrow one.

Just because many people do something doesn't mean it's right. Unfortunately, almost 90% of humankind follows the herd. "Well, everyone is doing it, so it's not that bad."