HONESTY
Great Fundamentals, IV
"Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. "
Hebrews 13:18.
"Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."
2 Cor. 8:21.
" . . . but that ye should do that which is honest, THOUGH WE BE AS REPROBATES."
2 Cor. 13:7
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Phil. 4:8
HONESTY IS GIVEN fourth place in the Great Fundamentals looking toward an individual's ultimate freedom in body, mind and Soul. Bearing in mind Shakespeare's immortal statement: "To thine own self be true, and it follows as the night the day, thou canst not be false to any man," it might well be accorded first place.
Were we wholly honest, we WOULD "do unto others as they should do unto us," and be most careful to sow only such "seeds" as would reproduce "wheat" (life) instead of "chaff" (death).
Hebrews is emphatic and most clear in pointing out that everyone should be willing and anxious to live honestly in all things; in every respect. This embraces being first of all honest with one's self in every way: in thought, desire and action; then to be equally so in dealing with others. Again reminding one's self of Shakespeare's saying, if one were honest with himself, it would follow that he could NOT be dishonest with his fellowman.
There is yet much more in these few words from Hebrews. In them is included the entire secret of man's peace and happi-ness; hence his heavenly state. Being honest in all things, so far as humanly possible, assures one a clean, free conscience, and there can be neither peace nor happiness, nor a state of heaven, where conscience is ill at ease.
Corinthians is equally clear on the same subject, using only different words; commanding, as it does, that we should be honest in both the sight of the Lord and the sight of man. If we are honest in the "sight" of the Lord, it follows that we must also be honest with ourselves and with OUR OWN SOUL; which again would assure us of peace or the state of heaven known as peace.
Let all men strive to be honest with each other, and peace would shortly reign on earth. Moreover, according to Revelation and John's vision, HEAVEN WOULD COME DOWN TO EARTH AND THE LORD WOULD BE AND ABIDE WITH HIS HONEST CHILDREN. Herein is the secret OF PEACE ON EARTH and the BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.
Corinthians IMPLIES that though people might be reprobates - not living within the Law in all things - they should at least BE HONEST. It follows that if they began to live honestly they would shortly free themselves from other evils and no longer remain reprobates; freedom of person and of conscience would naturally follow.
Philippians is far more inclusive, embracing, in a few words, almost the entire Decalogue of what is good, beautiful and desirable in human relations. "Whatsoever things are honest" - therefore, whatsoever things are pure, undefiled, exalted - all that is lovely, beautiful, desirable, ennobling and elevating - all such are to be encouraged in our thinking and living. "Whatsoever things are of good report" - this rules out all gossip - all tale-bearing - all slanderous and malicious reports concerning our neighbor. It demands of us that we protect our neighbor's honor (until such time as he is proven dishonorable), and that we conduct ourselves as honorable individuals, being clean and pure of thought, upright in action, honest and straightforward in our dealings with all others.
The Law of honesty embraces every phase and facet of human behavior. If a person obeys the Law of honesty to the best of their ability, this compliance will help to fulfill the destiny for which they came to earth. To countenance any evasion of this Law of honesty is to be forced to pay a penalty. If a person is not honest, THEY ARE CONSCIOUS OF THEIR DISHONEST ACTS, AND THIS KNOWLEDGE DOES NOT PERMIT A FREE, or good CONSCIENCE; HENCE THEY CANNOT BE AT PEACE; nor KNOW THE STATE OF PEACE THAT IS HEAVEN.
Does there live a strictly morally and Spiritually honest person in mind and thought who would contract a debt, and who, having a real friend, would ask that friend, in addition to paying their own indebtedness, to ALSO PAY THE DEBTS FOR THEM? Is this not exactly what almost all of humanity has been taught it may do, and IS doing today?
For example, a man cheats his fellow man in some manner and then at the end of day, prays God to forgive him, though there is not the slightest intention on his part to make retribution; only to commit the same wrong the following day and all the days following? People ask, and continue to ask God to do that for them which they would not request of another when face to face.
If individuals were honest in heart as the Law requires them to be, and commands them to be, then, being conscious of the sins of the day, they would pray in sincerity and humility for forgiveness of their transgressions and inhumanities to their fellow human beings, would be willing to compensate for wrongs committed and would plan to actually do so as quickly and fully as possible. Such a prayer fould be far different from that almost universally voiced which seeks absolution without any intent of repayment or readjustment and would be in harmony with the Law. It would be the prayer of a penitent; not of a beggar or of dishonest design. Here is an example:
Father, I come to thee in sincerity and humbleness of heart; being conscious of my weakness and transgressions. I, oh Father, offer no excuses, nor request forgiveness for my guilt, but pray Thee to be given strength that I may be able to repay all that of which I am guilty.
I pray Thee, oh Father, for Wisdom and understanding, en-abling me to foresee errors, and for the strength to more and more resist all that which is not good in Thy sight, that I may become perfect as Thou hast commanded.
I pray thee, oh Father, to forgive to the full extent permitted by thy Law all those who have sinned because of some act on my part, and to hold me, and not them, responsible for such evils and for their payment to the last farthing.
Bless, oh Father, those who have loved me, those who have been kind to me, and those who have helped me. Show me the Light that I may see clearly to enable me to repay all that I am indebted to Thee, Thy Laws and my fellow men. Amen.
THE LAW OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY is included in - aye, is part and parcel - of the Law of Honesty. If an individual is honest, they would feel dishonored if some one else were to offer to pay for their "sins," i.e., debts. An individual, being a MAN OR WOMAN, and honest of Conscience, FEELS responsible for each and every error of which they have been guilty, and is willing, and ready to do all in their power to repay and to correct this errors.
The feeling of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY is a BADGE OF HONOR. It is a sense that however much one may have been in the wrong, in whatever manner, they are PERFECTLY WILLING TO PAY FOR ALL THAT OF WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN GUILTY, AND FOR THE GUILT OF OTHERS TO THE EXTENT THEY WERE MISLED.
In the consideration of honesty in intent and act, the problem of profit in business naturally enters. It is not dishonest for a person in business to reap a profit for their efforts; just as the worker is paid wages in exchange for their efforts.
It is equally true that in many instances the profits may be far greater than compensation for the efforts made, or the ability to plan successfully. Were this not true, then great enterprises and the employment of many people, with good wages, would be impossible.
To give practical application to this aspect of the Law, it is only necessary to cite an example: That of Henry Ford. If the profits had not been such on his invention as to compensate him for his achievement AND IN ADDITION, sufficient to manufacture two automobiles for each one sold, hundreds of thousands of workers and their families would not be employed at high wages and only the rich would be able to own an automobile.
The profits on sales served two purposes: They provided excellent positions for many workers, and reasonable prices for those who desired the automobile. The question of honesty in profits is a relative one. The prime consideration is NOT HOW GREAT THE PROFITS, but in what manner are these profits used? This Law of compensation, increase, and profits is fully exemplified in the parable of the Talents.
Undeniably, there are many "lords" - employers - whose forebears were both humanitarian and illustrious, who today use their increase profits and compensation, for unholy purposes. On the other hand, there are millions of "servants," who do not fulfill their contract to do what they should, when they should, as they should and as much as they should and who use their unearned compensation for other than constructive purposes. The same workers, during prosperous periods, failed to “set their house” in order, and, almost at the first day of unemployment and curtailment of income, permit themselves to become public charges without feeling any sense of guilt.
Were we wholly honest, we WOULD "do unto others as they should do unto us," and be most careful to sow only such "seeds" as would reproduce "wheat" (life) instead of "chaff" (death).
Hebrews is emphatic and most clear in pointing out that everyone should be willing and anxious to live honestly in all things; in every respect. This embraces being first of all honest with one's self in every way: in thought, desire and action; then to be equally so in dealing with others. Again reminding one's self of Shakespeare's saying, if one were honest with himself, it would follow that he could NOT be dishonest with his fellowman.
There is yet much more in these few words from Hebrews. In them is included the entire secret of man's peace and happi-ness; hence his heavenly state. Being honest in all things, so far as humanly possible, assures one a clean, free conscience, and there can be neither peace nor happiness, nor a state of heaven, where conscience is ill at ease.
Corinthians is equally clear on the same subject, using only different words; commanding, as it does, that we should be honest in both the sight of the Lord and the sight of man. If we are honest in the "sight" of the Lord, it follows that we must also be honest with ourselves and with OUR OWN SOUL; which again would assure us of peace or the state of heaven known as peace.
Let all men strive to be honest with each other, and peace would shortly reign on earth. Moreover, according to Revelation and John's vision, HEAVEN WOULD COME DOWN TO EARTH AND THE LORD WOULD BE AND ABIDE WITH HIS HONEST CHILDREN. Herein is the secret OF PEACE ON EARTH and the BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.
Corinthians IMPLIES that though people might be reprobates - not living within the Law in all things - they should at least BE HONEST. It follows that if they began to live honestly they would shortly free themselves from other evils and no longer remain reprobates; freedom of person and of conscience would naturally follow.
Philippians is far more inclusive, embracing, in a few words, almost the entire Decalogue of what is good, beautiful and desirable in human relations. "Whatsoever things are honest" - therefore, whatsoever things are pure, undefiled, exalted - all that is lovely, beautiful, desirable, ennobling and elevating - all such are to be encouraged in our thinking and living. "Whatsoever things are of good report" - this rules out all gossip - all tale-bearing - all slanderous and malicious reports concerning our neighbor. It demands of us that we protect our neighbor's honor (until such time as he is proven dishonorable), and that we conduct ourselves as honorable individuals, being clean and pure of thought, upright in action, honest and straightforward in our dealings with all others.
The Law of honesty embraces every phase and facet of human behavior. If a person obeys the Law of honesty to the best of their ability, this compliance will help to fulfill the destiny for which they came to earth. To countenance any evasion of this Law of honesty is to be forced to pay a penalty. If a person is not honest, THEY ARE CONSCIOUS OF THEIR DISHONEST ACTS, AND THIS KNOWLEDGE DOES NOT PERMIT A FREE, or good CONSCIENCE; HENCE THEY CANNOT BE AT PEACE; nor KNOW THE STATE OF PEACE THAT IS HEAVEN.
Does there live a strictly morally and Spiritually honest person in mind and thought who would contract a debt, and who, having a real friend, would ask that friend, in addition to paying their own indebtedness, to ALSO PAY THE DEBTS FOR THEM? Is this not exactly what almost all of humanity has been taught it may do, and IS doing today?
For example, a man cheats his fellow man in some manner and then at the end of day, prays God to forgive him, though there is not the slightest intention on his part to make retribution; only to commit the same wrong the following day and all the days following? People ask, and continue to ask God to do that for them which they would not request of another when face to face.
If individuals were honest in heart as the Law requires them to be, and commands them to be, then, being conscious of the sins of the day, they would pray in sincerity and humility for forgiveness of their transgressions and inhumanities to their fellow human beings, would be willing to compensate for wrongs committed and would plan to actually do so as quickly and fully as possible. Such a prayer fould be far different from that almost universally voiced which seeks absolution without any intent of repayment or readjustment and would be in harmony with the Law. It would be the prayer of a penitent; not of a beggar or of dishonest design. Here is an example:
Father, I come to thee in sincerity and humbleness of heart; being conscious of my weakness and transgressions. I, oh Father, offer no excuses, nor request forgiveness for my guilt, but pray Thee to be given strength that I may be able to repay all that of which I am guilty.
I pray Thee, oh Father, for Wisdom and understanding, en-abling me to foresee errors, and for the strength to more and more resist all that which is not good in Thy sight, that I may become perfect as Thou hast commanded.
I pray thee, oh Father, to forgive to the full extent permitted by thy Law all those who have sinned because of some act on my part, and to hold me, and not them, responsible for such evils and for their payment to the last farthing.
Bless, oh Father, those who have loved me, those who have been kind to me, and those who have helped me. Show me the Light that I may see clearly to enable me to repay all that I am indebted to Thee, Thy Laws and my fellow men. Amen.
THE LAW OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY is included in - aye, is part and parcel - of the Law of Honesty. If an individual is honest, they would feel dishonored if some one else were to offer to pay for their "sins," i.e., debts. An individual, being a MAN OR WOMAN, and honest of Conscience, FEELS responsible for each and every error of which they have been guilty, and is willing, and ready to do all in their power to repay and to correct this errors.
The feeling of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY is a BADGE OF HONOR. It is a sense that however much one may have been in the wrong, in whatever manner, they are PERFECTLY WILLING TO PAY FOR ALL THAT OF WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN GUILTY, AND FOR THE GUILT OF OTHERS TO THE EXTENT THEY WERE MISLED.
In the consideration of honesty in intent and act, the problem of profit in business naturally enters. It is not dishonest for a person in business to reap a profit for their efforts; just as the worker is paid wages in exchange for their efforts.
It is equally true that in many instances the profits may be far greater than compensation for the efforts made, or the ability to plan successfully. Were this not true, then great enterprises and the employment of many people, with good wages, would be impossible.
To give practical application to this aspect of the Law, it is only necessary to cite an example: That of Henry Ford. If the profits had not been such on his invention as to compensate him for his achievement AND IN ADDITION, sufficient to manufacture two automobiles for each one sold, hundreds of thousands of workers and their families would not be employed at high wages and only the rich would be able to own an automobile.
The profits on sales served two purposes: They provided excellent positions for many workers, and reasonable prices for those who desired the automobile. The question of honesty in profits is a relative one. The prime consideration is NOT HOW GREAT THE PROFITS, but in what manner are these profits used? This Law of compensation, increase, and profits is fully exemplified in the parable of the Talents.
Undeniably, there are many "lords" - employers - whose forebears were both humanitarian and illustrious, who today use their increase profits and compensation, for unholy purposes. On the other hand, there are millions of "servants," who do not fulfill their contract to do what they should, when they should, as they should and as much as they should and who use their unearned compensation for other than constructive purposes. The same workers, during prosperous periods, failed to “set their house” in order, and, almost at the first day of unemployment and curtailment of income, permit themselves to become public charges without feeling any sense of guilt.