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Key Bible Verse: Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable (Romans 12:17). Bonus Reading:1 Corinthians 14:24-25

When a windstorm collapsed the fence between our yard and our neighbor's, he proposed that each of us charge our insurance companies the full amount. Upon repairing the fence, he gave me a bill, assuming I'd received full payment for the fence rather than the half I'd submitted a claim for. I ignored his bill and gave him his rightful share. He was angry, but I didn't realize it till the next time it snowed.

Since he had the only snowblower on the block, upon completing his walk, he usually did ours and that of the widow on the other side of us. This time, however, he did his walk, took the snowblower into the street to avoid our walk, and then took care of the widow's walk.

After this incident, I wrote my neighbor, apologizing for offending him. Going the extra mile, I enclosed a check to cover the full amount. I added that my relationship to Jesus Christ motivated me to act this way, and asked him to consider a similar relationship. He never said a word to me. But later the widow next door told me he just couldn't get over my letter. She said, "Whatever you told him, it had a significant impact."

—Paul Borden in Leadership Meditations

Thought to Apply: What is said behind your back is the community's estimate of you.

—Ed Howe (Kansas journalist, author, 20th century)

Adapted from Leadership Meditations (Tyndale, 2001) by permission.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Father, give me understanding of when I need to stand on principle, and the courage to follow through.

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