HONESTY
PAYS
Many
are tempted to compare themselves with the advances of others, some of whom
just might have opted for sinful shortcuts to top. This self-absorbed thought process is a sure
pathway to personal discouragement and disenchantment. Since the mind is the arena of spiritual
warfare, Satan seeks to strategically plant such tormenting thoughts in the
mind of anyone who does not diligently “watch and pray.” (Mark 14:38) However, Christ calls believers to a higher
order of thinking, which is utterly devoid of competitive spirits and anxiety-stricken
hearts. Prayerfully ponder the words of
David:
Psalm 37:1-4 (NKJV)
1Do
not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust
in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Bottom-line:
A life of integrity and honesty eventually bears fruit. Don’t obsess over current circumstances; keep
your eyes focused on The Master. Do HIS will.
Integrity is its own reward; honesty
pays.
A general manager in India wanted to test his people
concerning their values of life. He
announced that in everyone’s seminar folder there was a plastic pouch containing
one small seed. After they returned to
their homes, they were to plant the seed in a pot with good soil and look after
it faithfully. The manager promised to
hold a competition at the following year’s seminar. The person with the best plant would be generously
rewarded.
Everyone was eager to participate and the year passed by quickly. The subsequent seminar was held in a huge hall, and there was quite a scene, with hundreds of pots and a great variety of plants, all except for one person. In his pot was soil, but no plant. The owner of that pot sat quietly, apparently ashamed of himself.
The general manager summoned him to the stage. He asked what happened and the man responded with the truth. He planted the seed as instructed and did his absolute best to nurture it, but nothing happened.
The general manager declared that man to be the winner!
Everyone was totally shocked. The manager announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the seeds I gave you were boiled seeds. You planted them and nothing happened. You acted unwisely and deceptively, using other seeds. This man was completely honest. Therefore, he did not cheat me or himself. He wins the prize!”
Everyone was eager to participate and the year passed by quickly. The subsequent seminar was held in a huge hall, and there was quite a scene, with hundreds of pots and a great variety of plants, all except for one person. In his pot was soil, but no plant. The owner of that pot sat quietly, apparently ashamed of himself.
The general manager summoned him to the stage. He asked what happened and the man responded with the truth. He planted the seed as instructed and did his absolute best to nurture it, but nothing happened.
The general manager declared that man to be the winner!
Everyone was totally shocked. The manager announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the seeds I gave you were boiled seeds. You planted them and nothing happened. You acted unwisely and deceptively, using other seeds. This man was completely honest. Therefore, he did not cheat me or himself. He wins the prize!”
Before you conclude that the individual who
“brings wicked devises to pass” is a blessed person, consider ALMIGHTY GOD’S
description and prescription for being blessed. (Psalm 37:7) David recorded it:
Psalms
1:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the
counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of
sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
No comments:
Post a Comment