Honesty

Honesty is a principle by which a person leads a just and upright life.
It is walking on the path of integrity and honour in the demonstration of freedom from fraudulent motive,intention and practices. The people of the world recognise the importance of honesty but are unable to pay its price. It requires that everyone should live within his legitimate means to free our conscience from guilty and condemnation which come with wrong appropriation of resources.

The world today derive the major part of its economic burden from the greed and corruption of those at the helm of affairs while is beyond comprehension. Yet in all these,christian are called to lead the way out of this mad crave for material gain and display the quality of life that is beyond reproach.

HONESTY ENJOINED AND REQUIRED

• For the germination of the seed of God in our lives - Luke 8:15

• As the basis of our meditation and dealing with other - Philip 4:8

• For the position of leadership at any level in the church - Exodus 18:21;Acts 6:3

• As our christian emblem - Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 peter 2:12.

• As our distinguished trademark in a crooked world of today - Philipians 2:15.

THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF HONESTY

The amount or size of what is involved does not matter. The same judgement of a Director -General who diverted #5 billion from public treasury is waiting for his driver who pocketed #5 from the money for the car petrol.

• Preparation of accurate and adequate accounts where and when it is necessary - Daniel 6:1,2.

• Management of asset to avoid misuse attachment of any unholy string - Exodus 23:8.

• Just weight, just measure ,just quality for trading christian - Deut. 25:14-16; Proverbs 11:1.

• Accurate entries of time and movement register

CAUSES OF DISHONESTY

• Covetousness - Joshua 7:20,21; 2 kings 5:20-27. Without doubt, this accounts in the main , for the various cases of falsification, forgery and embezzlement stories in all places.

• Poverty - Psalm 125:3; Proverb 6:30; 30:8,9. Stealing to address poverty will only create a vicious circle of problem which will take longer process to unwind.

• Desire for vain glory - Jeremiah 22:13-15.

• Satanic greed -Eccl. 5:10 -10; Luke 12:15.

• Fear of the future ,fear of the unknown -Matt. 6:25.

REWARDS OF HONESTY

• Good name - Proverb 22:1. This sometime attract good fortune material rewards, and prosperity.

• Peace and rest of mind - Eccl. 4:6. A deep quietness without vexation of the spirit. No fear of hired killer or of detection.

• Satisfaction and contentment - Psalm 37:16; Pro. 15:16; 16:8.

• Good conscience - Acts 23:1 24:16; 1Tim 1:5 There is perhaps nothing which hunts like a bad conscience and sense of guilt.

CONCLUSION

Stealing has become so popular in our days to the point that it is the means by which many meet their basic necessities. It has reshaped the lifestyle and outlook of many to a point where it is no longer anything to be worried about. But the children of the kingdom have a responsibility to resist this tendency and uphold the light of the gospel. Thus, our testimony and credibility must be guarded jealously as we avoid behaviours which can cast aspersion upon the efficacy of the finished works of calvary

Paul testified that "...but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (2 Corinthians 4:2). Anyone who is unable to make this declaration without a bite of the conscience should identify his stumbling block and deal with it.

So let ask ourselves this question "Do you have honest intension before doing things you do?"