Many homes near ours offer produce and perennials for sale by the road.
Sometimes we’ll drive up to an unattended stand that operates on the “honor
system.” As we make our selection, we put our money into a cash box or an old
coffee can. Then we go home to enjoy the freshly picked fruits and vegetables.
But the honor system doesn’t always work. My friend Jackie has a flower
stand in front of her house. One day, as she glanced out her window she saw a
well-dressed woman with a big hat loading pots of perennials into the trunk of
her car. Jackie smiled as she mentally calculated a $50 profit from her labors
in the garden. But when she checked the cash box later, it was empty! The honor
system revealed that this woman was not honorable.
Perhaps to her, taking the flowers seemed like a small thing. But being
honest in little things indicates how we will respond in the big things (Luke
16:10). Honesty in all areas of our lives is one way we can bring honor to
Jesus Christ, our Savior.
The best “honor system” for a follower of Christ is Colossians 3:17,
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder. (RBC)
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