July 7 - Discovery

In the past 2 days I have had two opportunities to take someone else's money blindly and/or gain merchandise that was left unattended. If I have not been tested in the last couple of days, I'm not sure what this is.

At a major home improvement store, I noticed on my way out to the parking lot when returning my shopping cart, that someone had left a value pack of about 24 AA batteries in a shopping cart. There was no receipt, no one nearby to claim them or spot me taking them, or any cameras watching me. I had two basic options: 1) I could take the batteries home with me and use them over the course of the next 2 years or 2) I could leave them/return them to the store.

Without hesitation, I took the batteries inside and told one of the cashiers that someone had left them in a shopping cart outside. He replied with a shocked and confused look on his face, "Thank you".

At a fast food restaurant today on my way home from a great trip with a friend to catch a Braves game, I had to break a large bill in order to pay for my lunch. The cashier gave me $20 too much and didn't even think twice. Again, no cameras watching me, nobody to see this mistake, and no other evidence. It would be an easy $20 made. I had two options: 1) I could stick the change in my wallet like everything is normal and become $20 richer or 2) I could bring it to the cashier's attention and return it.

Without hesitation again, I brought it to the young cashier's attention. I said, "Mam, I believe you gave me one too many twenties". She replied, "oh, okay".

Here I am saving this girl's job by being honest and she replies with "oh, okay". I was more blown away by the fact she didn't say thank you than the fact she couldn't come up with correct change from $100.

Nonetheless, in both situations, I was given two options:

1) Do the right thing.
2) Do the wrong thing.

Some people might say, how is it wrong if it is the mistake of another person? The answer: because we all make mistakes. As Christians, we are to help those who stumble and mess up by being honest, caring, truthful, and examples of Christ.

If I had kept that $20, that cashier would have either lost her job at the end of the day or she would have been chewed out. Sure, she didn't do her job well, but maybe this was a learning experience that she will use to become a better cashier.

Stealing is a sin. If it's not yours and you know it belongs to someone else, don't take it. Too many people easily talk themselves into doing things they shouldn't. There are no excuses for sinning. We all fall...but we don't possess the right to make it seem okay.

DO WHAT IS RIGHT...