“Having a bit of time on a Saturday afternoon drive through Virginia, Emily Schantz decided to stop and pick up a bag left in the roadway that a car in front of her swerved to miss. Assuming it was trash, Schantz and her two sons pitched that bag in the bed of their truck. After returning to their home in Caroline County, Va., the Schantzes discovered the bag was stuffed with about $1 million in cash. Rather than hide the loot, Schantz phoned local deputies about the money. Caroline County deputies believe the money belonged to the U.S. Postal Service and was bound for a bank. Maj. Scott Moser of the sheriff’s office praised the family for turning the money in: “For someone so honest and willing to give that almost a million dollars back, it’s exceptional on their part.”” (World Magazine, 7-18-20)
Kudos to Ms. Schantz and her sons for doing the right thing, especially when there were about a million reasons not to. Mr. Moser’s statement about it being “exceptional on their part” got me thinking. Have we reached a point where such actions are the exception rather than the rule? Or has it always been that way? Imagine for a moment that 100 randomly selected American citizens were presented with the same scenario. How many do you suppose would turn the money in? Without any specific empirical data to offer, I guess it’s all conjecture. But I wonder…
Perhaps a more important question to ask is: How do we develop the kind of integrity that does what is exceptional? The Bible offers some help:
➢ Remember that doing the right thing pleases God (15:1- 2).
➢ Understand that doing the right thing builds our trust in the Lord (Psalm 26:1)
➢ Recognize that doing the right thing is truly valuable (Proverbs 28:6).
➢ Realize that doing the right thing starts with the small things (Luke 16.10).
So whether it’s one dollar or a million dollars, let’s always endeavor to do the right thing. May God help us all to be truly exceptional.
God loves you!
Mike
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