It Pays to Be Good and Honest

In times of war, many things happen that are really out of the
usual. There are for sure the heroic deeds of some people. There
are also stories of betrayal, legends of loyal and courageous
soldiers, tales of people who put up a good fight, stories of
abandonment, and so on. In the worst of times, as in adversity
and war, the best and the worst of people come out to the fore.

There are stories that inspire also. And these stories are often
handed down from generation to generation. It may even reach
other countries. For example, let me tell you a story I heard
of which continues to inspire me in how I conduct our small
family business. The story goes like this:

There is an old, about late middle-aged couple living in a small
village, who own and manage a small store for the residents of
their community. There were other business establishments in the
village, but this couple was extraordinary in their goodness and
kindness to their customers. They dealt honestly with them. And
they lived a simple life, fearing God, and was reputed to live
honorably and with integrity. All the people in the village
simply liked them even though they were just a small and simple
enterprise.

But then adversity fell upon the whole country. In fact, it
affected even neighboring countries and far-flung areas. An
offensive occupying force made its way to ransack and plunder the
peoples of these areas. In the village where the old couple
live, all the stores and businesses were pillaged, looted, and
burnt to the ground. Except for the store of the old couple.
What happened? This is what we were told. The people who were
treated very well by this old couple put up a really good fight
to save the store of the old couple. The people saw something
worth fighting for in what the old couple and their store stood
for. And so, the store of the old couple was saved from the
marauding forces that occupied their village.

Many would say that the people wanted to save the store because
it represents the best of the values which the people of the
village believe in. Others would say that the old couple was
just lucky and that the people did not want that last store to
be razed to the ground because that is where they will get their
supplies for their homes. Whatever way people would perceive or
judge the truth behind the saving of the store, if we view it
from more than just a human angle, there is really something more
valuable than gold in the way this old couple lived. They
represented the noblest ideals which the human spirit can reach
out for. And they truly and conretely testify to the truth that
a good reputation is of far greater worth than silver or gold.
In times of adversity and war, that is what will save, rather
than riches.

Imagine if we imitate the spirit in which this old couple run
and managed their business. If we are faithful in being kind and
good to our customers; if we treat them nicely and specially; if
we deal with them honestly and fairly as much as this old couple
did; and if we lived honorably and with integrity even outside
of our business - wouldn't we receive the same protection as the
old couple did? I believe we would, especially if we become God-
fearing like the old couple was. And since the old couple was
God-fearing, it was surely not only the people who were on their
side.