1 Kings 9:4 (NIV)
As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with
integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I
command and observe my decrees and laws.
"I don't subscribe to the thesis, 'Let the buyer
beware," said the American writer, Isaac Asimov. "I prefer the
disregarded one that goes, 'Let the seller be honest.'"
A century ago, clothier John Wanamaker, whose retail
business grew into one of the first department stores, would have agreed. He
instilled the attitude of utmost honesty in his employees. The story is told
(SELLING SOLUTIONS, Ed. Juanita Ruiz, Oct. 1995) of one of his advertising
people who was sent to make a sign advertising neckties that were reduced in
price from one dollar apiece to 25 cents. After personally examining the ties,
the ad man asked the buyer,
"Are they any good?"
"No, they're not," replied the buyer with all
sincerity.
The advertiser wanted to be completely honest, so he
finally wrote the copy this way: "They are not as good as they look, but
they are good enough at 25 cents."
The department sold out of ties almost immediately and
was forced to purchase several more weeks' supply of cheap ties to fill the
persistent demand.
Wanamaker's reputation for honesty helped to later
catapult him to the office of U. S. postmaster general. He believed that only a
business based on values has real value. He built his company and his life on
his values -- and both were successful.
Dear Lord, we pray that today in all that we do we would
be honest. We know at times it is so easy to give in and not be honest but we
pray that we would have the strength to do what is right. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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