If you have ever stopped by a fast food restaurant you might find a yellow or red box with a glass front displaying today's newspaper. The fact is the newspaper company trusts you and me for picking up just one paper. Also implied in this transaction is the faith we will not allow someone to take a paper without paying. This act of trust may seem old-fashioned, but there are other opportunities of proving honesty all around us. There is a golf driving range where I live run by an elderly gentleman. He has the balls in the wire baskets on the porch and a basket with a rock in the office. He has on the wall the prices of large and small baskets expecting you to put in your money before going to the range.
Honesty is a way of life which seems to have disappeared over the years of my life. When I was a child I heard the story of George Washington saying, "I cannot tell I lie, father. I chopped down the cherry tree."
Whether this is true or not the aim was to teach children the importance of honesty. If you got in trouble by your parents it was more problematic if you compounded the crime with a lie. Years ago schools had honor codes and you signed a pledge that you did not cheat on tests or exams. Honesty is required in relationships as well and none can continue when lies are present.
An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. Proverbs 14:5 (NIV)
Honesty is more than speech; it is a way of life which is far different from the world. Jesus teaches our yes should mean yes and a no means no. People lie to spare feelings or escape punishment or shame. But do we live a life of honesty? Do we give our employers a full 8 hour day? Do we fail to help someone when it is in our power to do so? Do we give our pastors a "fib" when he asks us to serve when the real reason is we are not happy with him? Do we give our full tithe instead of tipping God with a few dollars?
How will you know if you are living a life of honesty? Ask God to try your heart. He has all the answers.
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