Sunday Thought 83

I’ve been reading a lot of articles recently about people walking away from their mortgages. Usually there is a brief interview with a person and how they got into this situation, and then somewhere the reporter / writer talks about whether you should walk away from your mortgage.

Exodus 23:2 is a verse that talks about giving testimony in a lawsuit, but one I think has application in a number of settings, including the scenario above – “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.” This verse reminds me of my Mom and Dad when I was growing up, telling me that  ”just because some other idiot jumps off a bridge doesn’t mean you should!” Their point being (a) don’t be stupid (b) don’t follow the crowd. Another thing I remember being taught growing up is that “our word is our bond.” In other words, if we make a promise, we keep the promise.

Sometimes as adults we forget these simple lessons from childhood. Just because others are walking away from an obligation, that doesn’t make it right. Just because others break their promises doesn’t mean we should. As far as we are able to, even if it hurts, we should fulfill our obligations.  ”Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”