Is honesty really the best policy?

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.

Colossians 3:9

Coming from a big city, David wasn’t prepared for the approach rural businessmen took toward their customers. Shortly after David moved to the countryside, he rented a rototiller to do some work around his new home. The store owner showed him how it worked and explained that the charge was not based on how many hours he had it out, but rather how long it was actually used.

Looking over the tiller for some kind of meter to measure usage, David asked, “How will you know how long I’ve used it? There’s no meter.”

With a puzzled look, the owner simply said, “You tell me.”

It’s an unfortunate reality that our society has gotten so far away from being able to operate like this. In days gone by, dishonesty was the exception and you could almost always expect the truth to be told. But if we’re truthful, that just isn’t the case anymore.

As Christians, however, we’re to be held to a higher standard. We need to be honest, even when it causes us hardship. That’s not easy, but it’s what God calls and empowers us to do. So instead of using dishonesty to get ahead, be honest in your dealings with others, trusting God will bless your obedience!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would give you the resolve to be honest in your dealings with others and trust He’ll bless your obedience.

Questions for Thought

How does it make you feel when you discover other people have been dishonest with you?

In what way might your honesty be a good testimony of your faith to believers and unbelievers alike?