No person in American history had a better reputation for honesty than Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. president who freed the nation’s slaves in 1862. Even his nickname was "Honest Abe."
That reputation first became legendary before Lincoln ran for political office, when he was keeping store in New Salem, Illinois. Once he discovered he had overcharged a customer 6 1/4 cents. After closing, he walked three miles that evening to return the money. Another time he realized he had short-changed a customer four ounces of tea, and he delivered the full amount that night.
As a lawyer, he collected debts for his business clients. It was considered normal for bill collectors to keep some of the money, but Lincoln turned over everything.
After he won election for Congress, Lincoln did a report of his campaign finances. Friends had raised $200 for expenses; Lincoln returned $199.25 to them, reporting, "My only outlay was 75 cents for a barrel of cider which some farm hands insisted I should treat to."
In 1850, Lincoln delivered a law lecture. Even then, lawyers had a reputation among some people for dishonesty. "Let no young man, choosing the law for a calling, for a moment yield to this popular belief," Lincoln said. "Resolve to be honest at all events; and if, in your own judgment, you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer. Choose some other profession."
Richard Whately, Archbishop of Dublin, is known for saying, "Honesty is the best policy; but he who is governed by that maxim is not an honest man." (Richard Whately, Archbishop of Dublin)
Everyone has heard the first part of that quote, but hardly anyone knows the rest. Why does honesty need to be more than just a policy? Why did Lincoln consider honesty so important?
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that a person who longs to be honest and true has a special reward from God: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
Today’s prayer
Dear God, we know that you love honesty and truth. Show us any dishonesty in our lives, and help us to get rid of it. Teach us to be honest in all our dealings with other people. Amen.
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What the Animals Taught Adam: from the Story Powerline
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When Healing Hurts: reflections on spiritual warfare in pain
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Truce for Sibling Wars: reflections on spiritual warfare
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Dead Squirrel Forgiveness: reflections on spiritual warfare
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New Bride Confusion: reflections on spiritual warfare
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Insights and Reflections for Parents in February: from the Parent Powerline
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Family Conflict, Family Struggles: reflections on spiritual warfare, beginning
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in January: from the Parent Powerline
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Neighborhood Yeast: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Children of the Heavenly Father: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Christmas Contentment: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in December: from the Parent Powerline
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Golden Rule Respect: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in November: from the Parent Powerline
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Enjoying Money Without Spending it: insights from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in October: from the Parent Powerline
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The Tire 'Em Out Principle for Long Trips and Schoolwork: insights from the Parent Powerline
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Family Treasure Hunts: parenting insights from the parent powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in September: from the Parent Powerline
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The Handy Dandy Adaptable Review Game, Cooperation Concentration: Parent Powerline insights
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in August: from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in July: from the Parent Powerline
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The Balances of Parenting: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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Letting Daughters Grow: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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Insights & Reflections for Parents in May: from the Parent Powerline
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Helping Kids with Math: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
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Honey Tree: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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2/17/2021
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Reading to Babies: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
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Being a Better Parent....One Week at a Time...in February 2021
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Sharon Withers as told to Becky Cerling Powers
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Laura Jane Cerling
1/13/2021
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Becky Cerling Powers
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Becky Cerling Powers
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12/21/2020
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Laura Jane Cerling
12/10/2020
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12/4/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
12/1/2020
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11/12/2020
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11/9/2020
Enemies No More, Part 2: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/30/2020
Enemies No More, Part 1: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
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10/28/2020
Double Minded Doggie: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
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Becky Cerling Powers
10/13/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/10/2020
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Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
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9/28/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
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Becky Cerling Powers
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8/16/2020
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8/4/2020
Grandpa Thure Cerling, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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Temptation: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A. Hinshaw
7/23/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
7/21/2020
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Randy Limbird
7/14/2020
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Glen A. Hinshaw
6/24/2020
Washing Feet: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers and Lee Merrill Byrd
6/17/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
6/10/2020
Ruby Bridges, part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/3/2020
Ruby Bridges, part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/2/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
5/29/2020
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5/26/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
5/22/2020
Joey's Letters: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Lee Merrill Byrd
5/21/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
5/13/2020
Amaris Luz, Light from Darkness: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Lee Merrill Byrd
4/28/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
4/15/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
4/9/2020
The Hundred Chart: math lesson tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/8/2020
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4/7/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
3/24/2020
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Becky Cerling Powers
3/23/2020
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Paula Kortkamp Combs
3/12/2020
No Complaint Dinners: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
3/10/2020
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Jennifer Cummings
3/5/2020
A Brother's Love: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
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3/3/2020
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2/27/2020
My Two Dads, part two: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Janimarie Rowe as told to Becky Cerling Powers
2/26/2020
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Janimarie Rowe as told to Becky Cerling Powers
2/25/2020
Grandma's Apron: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Jennifer Cummings
2/20/2020
Colors of the Beetle: a retold faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/13/2020
Cantaloupe Crop Disaster: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen Hinshaw
2/5/2020
Afraid to Sleep at Night (Psalm 91): a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
1/22/2020
How the Camel Got His Hump: a retold faith based story
Becky Cerling Powers
1/13/2020
Growing Up With Polio: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
1/9/2020
All Things Bright and Beautiful: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers, poem by Cecil Frances Alexander
1/7/2020
One Dollar for a Donut: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
1/1/2020
Star of Wonder
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/26/2019
The Shepherds
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/24/2019
Mary and the Angel
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/18/2019
Zechariah
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/17/2019
Christmas Cookies: a a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
12/10/2019
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Rami Scully
11/28/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 3: Gifts & Gratitude (a faith based story from the Story Powerline)
Rami Scully
11/28/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 1: Enduring the Sea Voyage (a faith based story)
Rami Scully
11/27/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 3: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Néaouguen Nodjimbadem as told to Becky Cerling Powers
11/22/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Néaouguen Nodjimbadem
11/19/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Nodji (Néaouguen Nodjimbadem) as told to Becky Cerling Powers
11/12/2019
Grandma Time: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Jennifer Cummings
11/1/2019
The Love & Diaper (Nappy) Connection
Becky Cerling Powers
10/25/2019
Avon Perfume Surprise: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/22/2019
Saving Butterscotch: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Karen M. Pickett Ward
10/16/2019
The Patient in Room 116: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/8/2019
Belshazzar: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/2/2019
My Mysterious Relative & the Missing Paycheck: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/26/2019
Keeping in Touch with Cousins: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
9/24/2019
How the Ostrich Got His Long Neck: a faith based retold story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
9/9/2019
