“Strategic default” is the name of the game according to “60 Minutes.” Millions of American families whose homes are now worth less than the mortgages they took out at the height of the property boom 3 years, sometimes by 30 to 40%. And, millions are walking away, handing the keys to the house to the bank and abandoning their mortgage, even though they can afford the payments. They do the math and decide to let the bank take the loss. Is it the right choice? That was the question that Morley Safer asked of several homeowners in the program. Most justified their decision to renege on their mortgage contract with an argument of expedience; “Everybody’s doing it.”
Americans have less and less of a sense of commitment to most things other than their self-interest these days.
A college professor told me recently than up to 25% of his students don’t show up for classes, some even so bold as to email him in advance to ask if he will be teaching ‘anything important’ that day!
More than half of couples married this year will abandon their marriage vows when the going gets tough.
The corporate culture in the US is broken by self-interest, too. Neither company nor employee feel bound by any higher allegiance than to the almighty dollar. The ideas that a person should invest his life in building the company or that he can expect the company to keep him employed through lean times are quaint relics of another time.
Lack of commitment has found its way into the church, too. One of the more frustrating things about being a pastor of a local church is the ‘take or leave it’ attitude about church attendance which makes building a strong, serving Body a herculean task. On any given Sunday only about one half of those who call our church home, actually show up for worship. The ‘ties that bind’ are weak and growing weaker through this neglect of the Body.
Everyone of us is confronted with choices, big and small, everyday about commitment. Will we do the right thing, even when it is inconvenient or costly; or will we do what we believe is ‘in our best interest’ in the moment? A person of integrity keeps his word, even when it hurts. Proverbs asks the question: "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him." (Proverbs 20:6-7, NKJV)
Disciple, are you part of the company of the committed?
Are you daily decisions guided by principles larger than self-interest, that cause you to do the right thing even when it seems that ‘everybody’ is doing their own thing?
The faithful trust God wholeheartedly, looking forward to the Day when He will set right all things.
Here’s a word from the Word. May it challenge us to be faithful, trust-worthy people, who are committed to doing the right thing.
"Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? "
(Luke 16:10-12, The Message)
_________________
Lord, You have shown Yourself to be
Never changing, always faithful.
Lord, You have shown Your heart for me
The loving touch of a caring Father.
In ev'ry day that passes
And all the world's distractions,
Through seasons and life's changes,
You always remain faithful
To me with Your…
Perfect love, perfect love
Casts out all fear and shows me
That ev'ry word and promise to me
Will be fulfilled, will be fulfilled!
Faithful, You are faithful!
Faithful, faithful, faithful!
Faithful, You are faithful!
Faithful © 2000 Song Solutions Daybreak (Admin. in the US & Canada by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Eoghan Heaslip
CCLI License No. 810055
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