The Best Policy

A homeless man found a backpack containing more than $40,000 in cash and trav- eler’s checks in a mall in Dorchester, just south of Boston, Massachusetts. Believing honesty is the best policy, he contacted the police and turned in the bag. The man who lost the money got his bag back, along with everything inside.

Boston Police honored Glen James, the man who returned the money, for what he had done. A Virginia man, impressed by Mr. James’s honesty, started an online fundraiser for him and raised over $100,000 in just three days.* Mr. James, a man with nothing, found and then returned riches, before receiving more than he could have ever imagined. That’s how the Bible’s good news works.

When you give your life to God, you end up with far more than you had before. Peter, never afraid to give voice to what was on his mind, asked Jesus the pointed question, “We have left all and followed You.Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:29).

Jesus told him that everyone who gives up things in this life for His sake “shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (verse 29).

No one should ever be concerned that choosing Jesus will be to their detriment. Similarly, a person should never think that being honest will cause harm. Jesus was clear. “Those who honor Me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). Finding more than $40,000 would present a temptation for most people, especially someone who has almost nothing. When the easy thing to do would have been to keep the cash and take care of needs, it was the honest decision that brought real rewards. A decision for Jesus does the same, and whether or not you’re better off in this world isn’t what is most important. The greatest gift of all is eternal life, and Jesus is returning soon to bring that precious gift to His people.