"It happens to restore a lot of faith that there are still some good people out there." So said Harold Walls recently, according to a story carried earlier this week on DelawareOnline.com. Harold works as a "trash thrower", the guy on the back of one of Milford, Delaware's garbage trucks. When he lost his wallet three years ago, he figured the wallet and the $800 cash inside were gone for good.
Earlier this month, Walls' supervisor called him into the office, saying he had something for him. His wallet had been mailed in with all the cash still inside. The truck on which he had worked the day he lost his wallet had since been sold in auction. A farmer in Maine (his identity is unknown) purchased the truck. In working on the cab of the truck, he found the wallet wedged in the seat.
How easy would it have been for the farmer to simply keep the money? Would anyone have ever known? Even if they knew about his find, wouldn't they agree with the old adage - "Finders keepers, losers weepers"? But here was one honest farmer. Not only has Harold Walls been reunited with his wallet and his money, but his faith in the goodness of people has been bolstered.
I'll add another story to this, found on Yahoo News today. Evie identified herself in a letter to officials at Yosemite National Park as a junior ranger. Her letter goes on to say this: "I went to Yosemite recently and accidentally brought home two sticks. I know I'm not supposed to take things from the park, so I am sending them back. Please put them in nature." The letter so impressed authorities with Yosemite that they posted the letter on their official Facebook page.
In both these instances - the Maine farmer and little Evie - people did something they didn't have to do, and something no one likely would have found out about. But consider what they achieved through their determination to do the right thing.
The Bible places honesty in the category of a virtue. The wise man gave this counsel: "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight" (Proverbs 11:1). Who would know if the grocer's scales are 5% off (to his advantage)? Many have undoubtedly chosen this method of bringing in greater profits. But we know when we've "fudged". And the Lord knows.
The apostle Paul gave a similar admonition: "Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things" (Titus 2:9,10). "Bondservants" might today be replaced with the word "employees". God's will is that all workers demonstrate absolute honesty on the job.
And don't overlook the latter part of Paul's teaching: "that they may adorn the doctrine of God". My actions will have an effect on how others view God and His people. It may help to restore someone's faith in the goodness of people. Which was more valuable to Harold Walls: his $800 or his view of people in general?
Living righteously has ripple effects. Not only do we benefit those in our direct path, but others may hear of our deeds, too. It could be said of us as it was once said of Paul, formerly a persecutor of Christians: "And they glorified God in me" (Galatians 1:24).
Timothy D. Hall
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