Gouge Out Organizational Lust

So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. Matthew 5:29

Lust is an unhealthy desire for something you shouldn’t have. It is most commonly regarded as a personal matter, but leaders also need to watch out for organizational lust.

The signs of a lustful organization are easy to spot:

• Introduction of products that don’t make sense to the core audiences
• Reduction of quality or quantity with no reduction in prices
• Decisions made with little or no diligent examination of the consequences
• Expansion into new markets that place an unhealthy burden on resources

To avoid lustful activity, keep a steady eye on your mission. When attractive new ideas come along, challenge them by asking, “Will this take us toward our mission or away from it?”

Jesus warned that lustful desires could have a seed of good intention, but even if they come from your “good eye,” you need to gouge them out if they don’t support your organization’s goals.

Has your organization been lusting after something it shouldn’t have?