Honesty: Still the Best Policy
"We will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ."1
Sadly, there seems to be a sad lack of truth in high places these days (in many low places, too). However, truth is eternal. It will always win out in the long run. Once an individual or a business company becomes known for not always telling the truth, he or it will never be trusted.
Personal honesty always pays off. And, in the long run, so does corporate honesty.
Some time ago Donald Douglas was competing with Boeing to sell Eastern Air Lines its first big jets. Eddie Rickenbacker, who headed Eastern at the time, is said to have told Douglas that his specifications and claims for the DC-8 were close to his competition on everything but noise suppression. He then gave Douglas one last chance to out-promise Boeing on this feature.
After consulting his engineers. Douglas reported back that he did not feel he could make that promise.
Rickenbacker replied, "I know you can't. I wanted to see if you were still honest. You just got yourself an order for $135,000,000.”2
As Christians we are instructed to always speak the truth in love. Always in all ways!
"Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be totally honest with myself, with my loved ones, friends, and business contacts—and especially with You. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name, amen.”
1. St. Paul (Ephesians 4:15, TLB).
2. The Pastor's Story File.
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All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.