Honesty, the Best Policy

Today I read Colossians 3 and I was intrigued by all the counsel that Paul gave the Saints in this chapter. Telling them how they should act and how not to be. It is interesting that in this day and age it seems as if so many people who profess to be Christians see nothing wrong in being dishonest with their fellow man. I have often wondered where such two facedness comes from. Paul addresses a little bit of it here in this chapter.

He tells the manservant to obey in all things their masters, not with eyeservice but in singleness of heart. I like that word, eyeservice. To me, when I hear that word it immediately conjures up a picture of someone who does things when he is watched, but once the taskmaster or the overseer is gone, then they start to slack off and do not do the things they have been asked to do anymore. This is a good example of a slothful servant. And it is a good description of many, many people in this world. Have you ever seen such an employee? That when the boss is gone they just lounge about and don't get any real work done? To me that is a perfect example of serving, or working, with eyeservice and not with a singleness of heart.

Latter-day Saints have always been counseled to be honest in all their dealings with their fellow man. In fact it is one of the questions that we are asked before we can enter the temple. It is important to not just be honest, or what we typically refer to as telling the truth. We need to be truthful in all things. Are we putting in a full days work for our employer? Are we doing the chores our spouse has asked us to do? Are we paying an honest tithe? The answers to each of these questions will help shape what kind of a Christian you are. Can you imagine Jesus Christ cheating someone just to get a few extra dollars? Or any amount of money for that matter? So why do we do it? Paul also counsels the Saints in this chapter to set their hearts on the things of heaven, not of earth. When we focus too much on money and the accumulation of it, we have set our hearts on the wrong thing. I promise that we will not be able to take our earthly wealth with us to heaven, or hell for that matter. It stays here because it is part of this world and has no place in the next life.

It can be hard to be completely honest all the time. But if we hope one day to become like God is, then we need to make sure we are being honest, especially with ourselves. It is easiest to lie to our selves I think. We can tell ourselves half-truths and rationalize our cares and worries away and even assuage our own guilt. All it takes is a little practice. But somethings you shouldn't get too good at, and lying is one of them. We need to practice a life of complete honesty. You won't be sorry you did. Until tomorrow.