Truth Or Consequences

Wednesday, July 27, 2016
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Listen while you read: "Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us"1 (Lyrics)

In the 1970s, we moved our European/Middle East head office to London, England. We had some big projects on the go, and we were in need of a payroll person to calculate the weekly and monthly payroll for all our employees, both in the office and in the field. The person needed to be familiar with the different deductions and how to remit them to the various government institutions. It required a knowledgeable and capable person.

Our office manager interviewed a considerable number of applicants and finally narrowed it down to a couple of likely candidates. As was our custom, when it came down to hiring someone in my accounting department, I would also have a short discussion with the finalists. One of them was obviously well qualified, but he had been unemployed for over five years. I asked him why he had been unable to get work in his field — why it was that no one would hire him. "Because I stole some money," was his reply. He then got up and was going to go away dejected, once again, but I told him to wait in the reception area.

I discussed this with the office manager, and we agreed to hire him. When we told him, he wept, and he asked me why we would hire him when no one else would, for many years. So I told him, "Because you told me the truth." As the Bible says:

Proverbs 12:17,19,22 – He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. (NKJV)

Tell the truth or tell a lie? The man we hired to do our payroll told me the truth where he could have lied. I am sure that he had told other prospective employers the same, and they did not hire him, but because he was honest with me, we did. He worked for us for many years, and he was still there when I left.

There are so many people who will tell a lie, even when the truth fits better. There is a saying in the Netherlands which, roughly translated, says, "It does not matter how fast a lie is; the truth will catch up to it." More than likely, when we do tell a lie, we will get trapped in it, and then, we will have to face up to the consequences. Always tell the truth!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we pray that we will always speak the truth. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Joel – Amen!


    Power message!


    Good thought for today Joel.


    We should tell the truth always.


    Thanks Joel for a salient devotional. Blessings.


    Thanks, Joel, I wish more people thought like this.


    Great story/example. Thanks for sharing it.
    (CA)


    A needed message! We need to place much more value on truth and confession. God does! I trust that this person proved truthful.


    Thanks, Joel, for your devotional. It is inspiring to see what people are capable of when we give them a second chance. I can just imagine how this man’s life was changed by your willingness to give him a new start!


    I always enjoy your devotionals and look forward to them.
    Keep up the good work. They are always honest and down to earth and easy to relate to.
    Thank you.


    Hi Joel:
    This is a fascinating story and well told.
    You said “He worked for us for many years, and was there when I left.” You made a good decision.
    God bless you and your family!


    Joel,
    Thank you for today’s devotion.
    I was reading the other day about how the mainstream media reports the news. It seems that they rarely report ‘THE TRUTH’.
    One reporter suggested that ‘THE TRUTH’ is now the ‘new HATE speech’.
    It is a sad world when our respected news medias are not allowed to tell the truth.
    Blessings to you.


    My dear friend Christ,
    You are like a friend to me in my head…your devotionals writings, to me sitting into a class room, I learn so much every time that you write and I am sure like all the other readers look forward to more!
    You are so knowledgeable, and so well travelled and your experiences are amazing.
    (“is there any where in the world that you have not lived, or work”?).
    In my humble opinion, I am so happy and privileged to able to be a part of this!
    You are truly, truly blessed!!
    May God continue to bless you and keep you strong in good health, and in strong faith.
    Blessings, peace and joy be with you always as you continue to inspire all of us with your awesome devotional writings.


    A very interesting thought, Joel. I never thought of it that way before. If this is a true story I am very impressed. If it is an anecdote to illustrate your point I am still impressed.


    Your devotional today made me cry a bit. I have probably – almost certainly – heard that story before but it is still so touching…and a good reminder, not only that the truth serves best, but also of God’s grace, which you showed to that man.
    Thanks!!


    Beautiful story, Joel. Thanks.
    God bless.


    Dear Joel Jongkind,
    I have recently seen something of this after some years. Please pray for further developments in God’s time and His way.
    And of your saying from the Netherlands which, roughly translated, says, “It does not matter how fast a lie is; the truth will catch up to it.”


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