Apr. 17: The Goal of Honesty

Pat Smith of Owatonna, Minnesota, is the father of 11-year-old identical twin boys Nate and Nick. As reported by ABC News, Nate wowed hockey fans during a celebrity fundraiser by “hitting a puck through a hole in a board 89 feet away” during a charity event. The prize was $50,000.

The problem, however, was that Nate was ineligible for the jackpot because the raffle ticket permitting the hockey shot was written in Nick’s name.  If they hadn’t revealed the deception, the boys would have received a windfall, but their dad encouraged them to do the right thing and tell the truth.

For the Smiths’ honesty, the sponsoring agency decided to donate $20,000 to youth hockey in Minnesota in the twins’ names. The youngsters were pleased with the donation. In addition, the boys were given a three-week hockey camp next summer.

“I just think that honesty is more important than any prize or money you can get,” Smith concludes. “It’s always best to tell the truth and things will work out.”

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely. 

(Proverbs 10:9)

May we always strive to be truthful, Almighty God.