What A Deal!

It has always been customary to model the behavior we approve of. It is a powerful way of teaching. Yet, our society seems to be preaching from the back side of the pulpit anymore.

Years ago I was at a church meeting where we were trying to figure out how to implement some new and innovative ideas. It was in a white collar city where most of the people worked for big companies and everyone was offering to bring this, or that from their company as an offering. Not actually from the company, but just something they would pick up and bring. Finally our priest stopped and, smiling, looked at us all as he said, “Well, we ought to be able to steal almost anything we need!” It was a point well taken.

What was once considered wrong, is sometimes looked upon as quite an accomplishment anymore. Getting the best deal at any cost, coming out on top at all costs. Getting the most for the least amount of money, work, or effort is so highly prized by so many in our society anymore that it has become more than a game. It is now a way of life.

Yet we seem surprised when it happens to us. It is okay to steal videos, or votes, phone minutes, or music, or pay under the counter for deep discounts, but let someone take advantage of me and I am outraged? That’s the way it works folks. It is either right, or wrong, but it isn’t both.

If anything is fair game in your world, remember you are too.

There are still a handful of businesses and people who do play fair. They treat people right, produce quality products, and respect the rights of others. They are usually the ones who go out of their way to give a baker’s dozen and clean up the crumbs afterwards, but they don’t seem to elicit enough interest to be the subject of TV programs and movies and since they don’t gloat about their sly ways, they often go unnoticed.

These are the rock solid citizens who support the rest of us the best they can and these are the ones we better start supporting ourselves.