Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Do the Right Thing by Martin Wiles

When she discovered the clerk’s mistake, exactly one year had passed, but this didn’t stop her from doing the right thing.

“You’ll never guess what happened,” Mom said. Like many, she is an after Christmas sale shopper. And last year she stocked up on a variety of jewelry pieces. As she checked out, she asked the sales lady for a few empty boxes to wrap the pieces for next Christmas. Now one year later as she wraps for this year, she finds inside one of the boxes a small pair of diamond earrings wearing a $225 price tag. Some may have kept them for their personal use or gave them as a gift, but Mom knew the right thing to do. She promptly returned them to the store manager who was pleasantly surprised and thanked her.

Our lips can slither lies or truth. The choice is ours. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. (Proverbs 12:22)

Honesty has been God’s standard from the very beginning. After Adam and Eve sinned and God came looking for them to have their normal evening walk, they hid. When God confronted them about the circumstances, he expected the truth. 

Nor does honesty depend on the situation. Situational ethics—determining right or wrong based on the situation, is a slippery slope that treats honesty frivolously. Truth may work for one circumstance but not necessarily for another. God will reward honesty but not deception. “Well done good and faithful servant” isn’t the commendation those who’ve made dishonesty their life practice will hear. 

When others see our honesty in all situations, Christianity becomes enticing to them. Many will lie when the pressure is on, but I intend to stand firmly on the truth. Make that your commitment too.

Prayer: Eternal God, when circumstances tempt us to lie, give us the strength to stand for the truth. 

Martin N MichelleHelp spread the encouragement by sharing this site with a friend. 

1 comment:

  1. It's always best to do the right thing. I had found some cash on the ground in a dept store a few years ago. I found a store manager and I gave it to them. They took my name and number. A year later they called me and said no one ever came in or asked about so they gave it to me. I donated it. It wasn't mine to keep & spend. Glad to see there are others that do the right thing! Thanks for sharing at Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey!

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