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Several times in the news recently I have seen some young man or young woman given special recognition because of an act of honesty he or she performed. For example, there was a young lady who found a wallet at her place of employment that contained a significant amount of money who had returned if to its owner. She gained an interview on a local newscast. So, “What is the problem?” you ask. Of course, there is no problem with being honest. I applaud not only these young people, but anyone of any age for doing what is right. My question is, “Has honesty become such an unusual thing that an honest act is now newsworthy?” No, I am not trying to nit pick, it just seems that some things ought to “givens” in this world and this is one of them. I was so blessed to grow up in a home with a father and mother who taught me by word and example Godly values. From my earliest days I can remember lessons on the “golden rule” and how important it is to “love one another” (cf. Matt. 7:12; I John 4:7). If I had found someone else’s property I would have never considered keeping it. In fact, I do not know which would have been worse- - the guilt of doing what I knew better than to do, or the punishment I would have received if my parents had found out! You might say I was taught the true meaning of the “honor system.” Jesus worded it this way, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matt. 22:37-40). Obviously, the young people mentioned above were taught this system, too. The fact is, when we honor our Creator and His creation it is only natural to want to do the right thing. May God help as all in getting back to honoring His system.
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