HONEST PEOPLE
What a refreshing thing it is to meet an honest person or hear about some deed that was done by a honest man. One thing among many which we learn about God is that it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2). It stands to reason that those who allow their lives to be influenced by the Word of God would desire to lead honest lives before the world. Paul declares that as Christians we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty (II Corinthians 4:2). There are honest people out there who have no connection to being children of God. They are just honest because of their bringing up.
Last night my wife and I were able to attend a preseason game between the Colts and the Bears. We had to walk a good way to the stadium and climb several steps to get to the outside door, whereupon, we were both exhausted. Once inside, we found that our tickets were up on the third level. We manage to make it up three flights of stairs. Once on that level we found out our tickets were for row 19. After walking up to row 19, I was so exhausted I was not sure I would even enjoy the game. However, I did enjoy being there with Beverly, even though the Colts lost.
Once it was over, we had to make our way back down all those stairs. Once outside, there was an assortment of street people with cups asking for money. One particular man really caught our attention. He was sitting with a cup and a sign. It was the sign that really caught my attention. It read this way. “Why lie, it’s for beer”. I have heard many stories and listen to pitiful tales as people try to extract money from you. This was by far the most honest one I had encountered. He did not want money for food or to try to reach some distant place. He wanted money for beer. No lying, or trying to fool someone, he wanted a beer and needed someone to buy it for him.
What a difference the entrance of the Word of God makes in the life of those who choose to accept it. Paul speaks about the thief who no longer steals but works with his hands to provide for his life. I doubt that those who play the lottery would see themselves in such a light but I wonder how different it really is. The beggar wanted a beer. What are his choices? He could hold down a job, earn money and buy his beer. He could ask some member of his family to buy it for him. Or, as this man did, simply sit down and wait for someone to buy it for him. What happens when someone goes to buy a lottery ticket?
He is asking the State of Indiana (or wherever) to give him enough money to get what he wants right now. What are his true options. Hold down a job and earn enough money to pay his debts? Ask a family member to help them or what? Here of late I have been treated to having to wait in line while some person who cannot afford it, buys lottery tickets. Their needs are as real as the man sitting on the sidewalk needing someone to buy him a beer. In both cases the options appear to have gone because of mishandling of money or wasting opportunities in life to better one’s self.
How much money did they spend to win $5? How much money came out of their pockets that would have eased the pain of bill collectors calling? Instead they go into one of our local establishments put down money they really cannot afford and hope the State of Indiana will put something into their cup. The State lottery here may announce from time to time about a $1,000 dollar winner. How many dollars were contributed by hard working people of Indiana to provide that $1,000 for just one person? The gambling industry sells their product in the name of more dollars to schools and better roads. Since we have installed this vice in our beloved State of Indiana, the test scores have not risen but fallen. If you travel around our city and our state you will that a good deal of money is spent on “orange cones” being put up to direct traffic around places where the roads need to be repaired.
What a joy to find the Christian life. The work ethic is lifted up as the individual finds maturity in Christ (Ephesians 6:5,6). The Christian is able to use his excess funds to help others along life’s way. He is not seduced by the siren call of the gambling industry nor taken in by the feel good message of the alcohol business. He leads a quiet life and he is not out on street corners asking someone to give him something. Salvation is in Christ and not in the “quick fixes” of the wisdom of this world.