If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything- Mark Twain

I have heard that if you want to ruin the truth, stretch it.       I now look at these words differently  as I have come to believe in the value of  undeniable honesty.  

I was recently asked;

“Do you consider yourself an honest person?”  

I remember my reaction.    Without more than a slight moment’s hesitation I proudly stated “yes”.     In fact, I had been working on removing even the  smallest white lies from my captivating storytelling.     The stories had been in fact getting good, but entirely true, probably not.   I was honest by my standards, but I learned I was still  far off from the gold standard of honesty.  

I looked and listened more about what it meant to be honest.   I studied the biography of honest Abe Lincoln.   This was  a man who would walk miles to return money to strangers who overpaid him when he owned his first business.   He also  spent years repaying money he owed to people rather than simply declaring bankruptcy and walking away from his troubles.   A life lived like Abe was worthy of being called honest.

I listened to what the Bible  states;    

“Prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” -Philippians 2:5

“Whoever is dishonest with VERY  little will also be dishonest with much.” -Luke 16:10

We have just witnessed a meltdown of America’s financial sector.   I believe a lot of the issues we all face have been the result of dishonesty.   If you observe a person who is dishonest in dealing with the government  or in the smallest business transaction, you can be assured this person will be dishonest in greater matters and probably dealing with you.   Either the person has made the commitment to be absolutely honest or that person’s dishonesty will become more prevalent.   Lies build on lies.   Even the smallest ones.

When we act dishonestly we are stealing from others.   Simply.   We are robbing people.   We may deceive ourselves into thinking it is  a business, the government, or an insurance company that is taking the hit, but really it is the business owners, fellow taxpayers, or policy holders from whom we are stealing.   It may as well be taking the money right out of thier wallets or purse.   Dishonesty always injures people.   The victim is always a person.

Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles – Proverbs 13:11

Warren Buffett says that honesty should be taught in business schools in order to build a  quality business.   That is aside from the moral value of honesty to honor the Lord and our human race.  

May we flee the enticement of quick white lies for the short term benefit they offer.     Take the time to think about your answer;

 Do you consider yourself an honest person?