Pastor's Ponderings, December 2, 2019

Let’s Make Truth and Honesty Our Policy

A few years ago, when one of our family members worked for a major corporation, they were able to share the benefits of a discount on mobile phone costs.  When they recently resigned, we contacted the mobile phone company and explained that we were no longer eligible for the discount.  The surprised representative said we could have maintained the discount for months because they would only periodically review them.  Then we proceeded to ask how much our bill would increase in the future without the discount. To our surprise, we were eligible for another discount that minimized our bill increase to four dollars per month!

It would have been easiest to keep the discount for as long as possible and hope they never checked, but because we chose the honest path, we were rewarded. While deception may benefit in the short run, honesty is the best policy.  Jesus was the ultimate honest person when He stated that He was the Way, the Truth, and the Light (John 14:6). When the church was first established in the New Testament, the first qualification listed for the deacons was that they be able to give a good report or to be honest (Acts 6:3).  The online source called, TheOneThing, shared research stating, “The encouraging news is that over 94 percent of people were honest even though they thought no one was watching.”

People may not be watching, but God’s eyes are in every place looking at the good and the wicked (Proverbs 15:3).  When the Bible lists the kind of thoughts we must think, honesty is the second on the list (Philippians 4:8).  During this holiday season when many are dishonestly pushing this or that product or scheme, let us be honest with one and another and speak the truth always. 

John 14:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 6:3
King James Version (KJV)
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Proverbs 15:3 
New International Version (NIV)

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Philippians 4:8
King James Version (KJV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.