This morning I went for an inspection and registration of my car, plus have the oil changed.  As it turned out, I was not not charged for an air filter replacement.

I went back and paid the fee.  The owner told me it was highly unusual for anyone to return to pay when an error occurred.  They apologized to me several times, and I told them it was human error.  We all make mistakes.  They gave me an extra discount and a free car wash. It wasn’t necessary, but I told them I very much appreciated their kindness.

This made me consider why people would treat a business like that, but I already knew the answer.  Most see errors such as this as a bonus.  They view it as a business mistake, and the business should not have made the mistake in the first place.  But we are all human, we make many errors, and errors do not excuse us from paying our debts.  God does not view defrauding another as a “bonus.”  He wants us to be honest in all of our dealings.  We are to love our fellowman, and we would not want to be defrauded ourselves.  That being the case, do not defraud your neighbor.

“Recompense to no man evil for evil.  Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”  Romans 12:17

“Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him:  the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.”     Leviticus 19:13

“Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”       Mark 10:19

“Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”    I Corinthians 6:8

“Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.”     II Corinthians 7:2

“That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:  because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.”
I Thessalonians 4:6

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”     Matthew 22:38-40

“There is one man whose respect I must have at all hazards, and his name is James A. Garfield – for I must room with him, walk with him, work with him, eat with him, commune with him – live with him.”     ~ James A. Garfield

May we have the courage to do that which is right and honest before all men and God, and to do right for it is right.  That’s what righteousness is.

“Have you ever wondered what marks our times?
If one life can really make an impact on the world?
If the choices we make matter?  I believe they do.”         ~ Scott