Read: Leviticus 19:32-37
You shall have honest scales, honest weights, . . . I am the Lord your God. —Leviticus 19:36
Bible In One Year: Leviticus 21-22; Matthew 28
A former chairman of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants says that ethical behavior is the foundation of business success. Speaking to an audience of business and community leaders, Marvin Strait said, "People want to do business with people they can trust. Trust is what makes business work. It is the bedrock of the free-enterprise system."
In the wake of corporate scandals and eroding public confidence, his words remind us of the value of honesty. Without it, our lives and our work fall short of God's design.
The Old Testament law says, "You shall have honest scales, honest weights, . . . I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 19:36). And the New Testament teaches that truth and honesty in all that we say and do should characterize those who have been redeemed by Christ (Ephesians 4:25-28).
A good way to evaluate our daily choices is to ask ourselves: "Would I be embarrassed if I read about this in the newspaper or if my family and friends knew about it? Am I excusing or profiting by the unethical acts of other people?"
Honesty is not only the best policy, it's God's policy for every aspect of our lives. Living with integrity honors and glorifies Him. —David McCasland
Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !
Texas Winter is over. Texas Spring seems to be beginning this week ! ...
One on the list stood out in my mind - -
"Shovel your neighbor's sidewalk or mow their lawn."
prompting a Real Life Story for you....
Relocating from North Carolina to South Carolina in 1995 to be closer to our daughter in Columbia, and sons in Florida, we decided not to buy another home, but rent, for flexibility purposes.
We lucked into a psychologist who was moving to Augusta, Georgia and wanted a responsible couple to rent her very lovely home on the 95-acre lake, just a half mile from downtown.
It had a large front porch, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a great room with fireplace and wall to wall French doors and windows, and screened porch and deck, overlooking the lake -- for $400 a month!
She was delighted because my husband could do some repairs and painting, etc., and I was a Yard Junkie, the property large, sloping down to the water, and adjacent to a vacant corner lot the City owned.
A riding mower solved that aspect, and I love to wield my trusty weed eater, she not having had the time to care for it all.
I played to my heart's content with flower beds all over - hacked down the weeds and next door kudzu vines - truly in my glory.
Hung a hammock between two trees down by the lake, and watched endless sunrises and sunsets, reflecting on the water, and parades of baby geese and ducks.
A real plus were the neighbors, especially some older ones. Two doors over were Mr. Frank, a retired grocery store manager, and Miss Myrtle, about 17 years my senior.
Miss Myrtle was THE Epitome of Southern Gentlewoman, ever kind and cheerful and very caring. We spent many pleasant hours sitting outside by the lake, mulling over life issues.
Across the street was a widower, 16 years older, who had been in real estate successfully, but honored his modest Upcountry farming roots, still maintaining a small farm by the Country Club.
At times I got carried away, going over to weed eat the overgrowth from the back yard down to the lake for Mr. Frank, who had emphysema. Mr. Walter often played Good Neighbor, Southern Style, bringing me wonderful fresh vegetables. I now and then strayed over there to 'tidy up' his large front yard, since he had someone come to do it only occasionally.
After 2 1/2 years, our landlady had remarried and her husband pressed her to sell the house we were renting, and we were in a predicament trying to find a habitable house (few available at any given time) that was affordable.
To The Rescue charged Miss Myrtle, who daily kept nagging Mr. Walter - "Now, Walter, you just have to find a roof to put over Margaret's head!!"
Laughing, he came over to ask what we could afford, and said for us to look at every property within our range, and if a reasonable price, he'd purchase it to rent to us!!
Mind you, he was 80 years old at the time (6 years ago), with heart attacks, a pacemaker and bleeding ulcer, and certainly did not need to acquire another house.
We found one on a shady corner lot, closer to stores; easier to maintain as our strength declined, and lower cost for utilities and gasoline, etc.
He even told us to give him the bills for painting the entire house (3 coats on some dark walls), any repairs, new water heater, etc. AND the cost of lumber and screening for the carport for our cat to have his room!
It has the laundry room at one end, and with the double concrete drive, we still have that for parking the car.
It truly is a testament to the goodness of the Lord, leading us to just the right places, and persons who practice what they believe.
Indeed, smiles and kindness are the cement of life...
I printed out a pattern for a quilt block for the newbie in my quilting guild, gave it to her this morning at our meeting.
I do believe that folks here at the finest... really don't have to put their minds to the task of doin' something nice for others. Me thinks it's just second nature around this neighborhood.
