You are to write the research paper in accordance with APA standards and cite a minimum of five (5) scholarly peer reviewed sources and three (3) entire scripture verses.

Your paper submission should follow the below stated composition and formatting guidelines; and be composed unto a “Word Document.”

• Title page with a “Running head:” page number (top right), your name, course, date, and an appropriate title.
• Use double space, Times New Roman, and 12pt font.
• Provide a short introduction stating your position and argument.
• Support your position unto the body of the paper depicting Parts I, II & III
• When all is done, give a brief conclusion.
• Upon citing works, add a separate reference page.

These APA additions are NOT a part of the word count that should approximate 1500 words (approximately 350 words for Part I; 400 words for Part II and 750 words for the three subparts of Part III).

Deliverables = Post narrative responses to your paper designating Parts I, II & III with sub-parts A & B.

Compose a paper from a biblical worldview perspective that flows from the following financial concepts:

Deliverables:

Part I. Why is profit maximization, by itself, an inappropriate goal? What is meant by the goal of maximization of shareholder wealth? Compare and contrast these secular goals with the following Bible verse:

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26, KJV).

Part II. When does insider trading occur? What government agency is responsible for protecting against the unethical practice of insider trading? Explore the malfeasance of this action as well as the potential punishment. Cite recent cases. Discuss how the following Bible verse applies to these herein questions:

“Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them” ((Ps. 62:9-10).

Part III. Blaise Pascal (1623–62) was a French philosopher, evangelist and mathematician, who is considered by many the father of probability theory. In order to sow the seed (Matthew 13) into the minds (Holy Spirit will convict) of a group of notorious alcoholic gamblers residing in his township; Blaise Pascal developed a polemic for the belief in Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior that became known as “Pascal’s Wager.”

The Wager is directed to unbelieving skeptics, who say there is no God, Jesus Christ or they do not know Jesus, the great I am. The Wager explains to the non-believing gamblers that they have gambled incorrectly in that they have everything to lose, and nothing to gain from their unbelief.

Conversely, if they believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they may have the advantage of living a better life (following God’s Word) and when this pilgrimage is over; they will have an eternity in Paradise with God rather than an eternity in hell. A Win.

If the skeptic is correct and God does not exist, than the skeptic has still lived a better life by following the Words of God. A Win.

Therefore, by following Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; it is a Win Win.

Respond to the following Part III deliverables:

• If a drunken gambler agrees to accept Pascal’s wager; would it be binding unto God? Why or why not. Explain.
• Outline in detail your witness polemic on how you would witness to a drunken gambler, an unbelieving skeptic; who says there is no God, Jesus Christ or does not know Jesus, the great I am? Focus more on your polemic than on the shortcomings (real or imagined) of Pascal’s Wager. Emphasis is on winning souls = "Business as Missions."

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30, KJV).