Oct. 25, 2010

Keeping your word

From the Pulpit
By Rev. Gary Hardin

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Several weeks ago I called a company regarding a refund promised to me. Four weeks had passed and the refund still had not arrived in my mailbox. The customer service person apologized for the delay. She said, “Fax the information to me, and I personally will see that your refund check is expedited.” She gave me a fax number that would assure the information I sent came directly to her.

Guess what? I'm still waiting on the check. That customer service rep promised to do something, but did not keep her word.

Isn't this matter of people failing to keep their word just too commonplace today? For example, people program their telephone answering machines instructing you to leave your name and number, and that, if you do so, you will be called back. How many times have you not been called back? Try getting rebates promised on items you buy, or getting a company to honor a warranty.

Have you ever promised a person you would pray for him or her, but you never actually prayed? Did you ever borrow something and fail to return it? Ever failed to make payments on a loan you signed? Have you ever volunteered to keep the nursery at church but failed to show up when it was your Sunday? How many times during a typical month are you late for appointments?

Of course, keeping our word applies to more serious matters — parents not keeping promises they make to their kids, or husbands and wives not keeping marriage vows. Have you ever promised God you would do a particular thing (tithe, share your faith, read your Bible more), but you never followed through?
We are in the middle of election campaigns right now. How many politicians make promises they know they can't deliver on, and once in office, don't even try? No wonder Americans don't trust their government.

All these examples speak to the issue of integrity. The word means “wholeness,” and the idea is that what you say and what you do are consistent (whole). People with integrity keep their promises. People who lack integrity do not. It's really that simple.

We can even lose integrity with ourselves. I can't count the number of times I have promised myself I would exercise more or lose some pounds, but then never did either one.

The wisdom of Proverbs 20:6 challenges me: “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?” The verse digs at our tendency to speak flippantly, to give our word, to make a promise, but then never back up our words with our actions.

Once upon a time in America a person's word was his bond. That is not the case today. Sadly, many people cannot be trusted anymore.

Integrity is a gift to people. When you keep your word, say what you mean, and do what you say you will do, people trust you and place confidence in you. On the other hand, a lack of integrity might be the quickest way to lose the respect of others.

Surprisingly, most of the integrity issues we face in life deal with small things — saying you will do something for somebody, give someone something, or be present at a certain time. If you consistently break your promises on these small matters, you will see a cumulative effect on your life. You will become a person who simply can't be trusted. Ouch!

I am wondering if the root cause of the lack of integrity in America is that so many people live by the way of thinking, “It's all about me.” When you live this way you no longer care what your actions do to others.

Make a commitment to yourself that you will never again compromise your integrity. Once you lose your integrity, getting it back is difficult, if not impossible.

Gary Hardin is pastor of Enon Grove Baptist Church in Cedar Bluff. He and his wife, Linda, live in Centre. Comments can be sent to: garyhardin@tds.net.