By John Warren

 

I think honesty is in short supply today. Well no, I don’t think it is a matter of supply I feel it is more like an atrophied muscle that no longer works because of lack of utilization.

“ It is not what you say that counts,

Nor merely what you do;

Your words may all seem genuine,

Your words be not a few;

Yet, after all, God looks within,

And sees the inner “you.”

Your doctrine may be error free,

Your creed be all so true;

Yet God looks past all these to see

If you, yourself, are true.”

– R.E. Neighbor

Remember when a man’s word was his word you could count on it and him like counting on the clock to strike twelve at midnight. What happened? Do we not teach our children to be honest? Or do we say, “Do as I say and not as I do?” Or do we teach your children this is just the way things works, say what you have to say to get what you want? The Bible is clear, “let your yes be yes and your no be no.”

There were two barbershops in the little town. One was operated by an Italian and the other was owned by a Russian. One week there was a large increase in the customers at Tony, the Italian’s business. He learned that his competitor was closed for he was home sick.

He worked late every night because of the added customers he even worked late Saturday night. On Sunday morning, he put on his best suit. He took all the money he made above what he usually made during the week and went to his competitor’s house. He said to his competitor, “a little cash for you as he poured out all he had made on his bed and with a laugh and a hand shake said “Get well soon.”

He didn’t take advantage of his competitor’s illness but treated him with kindness and honesty. What do you think happened when the Italian barber got sick? I am sure that the Russian barber had extra business during that time, do you think the generosity of one person would kindle in the heart of a true friend a reciprocal response at the end of the week? I can imagine that between those times their friendship had grown to the point that the Russian barber was at the bedside of the Italian barber with home made soup and prayers.

 

John Warren is Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church, 502 North 6^th Street in Orange.