May 29, 2026

Business by the Book

Psalms 15:4 …He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

This Psalm contains a description of He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (verse 2). In verse 4 this person is said to be one that honors, among other things, a person who swears (makes a decision, vow, or promise), and does not change even if that decision hurts him. Therefore, we can conclude that the Lord places a premium on a person keeping their word once given. No matter the cost do everything humanly possible to keep your word. Make this a habit, a practice, a custom, a routine, an unchanging personal character trait.

I learned this quality from my dad. My first car was a 1965 Chevrolet Impala, two door, hard top. Dad purchased this car from a neighbor for $25 in 1975. For a year he and I, mostly he, worked on that car in the evenings and on the weekends. When finished it was almost a full restoration, new paint, new upholstery, rebuilt engine, new tires, rebuilt transmission, and new brakes. Everything was new or refurbished except for the actual frame and suspension. For two years that was my home away from home. It got me to school, work, church, dates, summer camps, and anywhere and everywhere else a 16 or 17 year old wanted to drive.

In the process of time I began working at a good job and purchased, with the help of Mom and Dad, a new sports car. It was a 1977 Triumph Spitfire. It was so small and low to the ground that I could sit in the driver’s seat put my arm out of the window and touch the ground. Once I literally picked the back of the car up so that the two back tires came off the ground. Therefore, the Chevrolet took a back seat to the new convertible.

On a certain day I was speaking with my boss about his son who had recently turned 16 and obtained his driver’s license. He mentioned that his son needed a “first car” and I asked if he would be interested in buying my Impala. He asked how much and without any consideration or input from my dad I said $250. He had seen the car and immediately said he would buy it. I really thought I made a good deal, purchased for $25 sold for $250, sounded good to me. The next day at dinner, I told my dad that I sold the car and for how much. Needless to say he was a little agitated. “We have more money in it than that” he said, among other things.

Feeling badly I just said, “Well I will call my boss right now and say the deal is off unless he pays us more.”  I will never forget what my dad said, “N0, you made a deal; you honor it, stick to your word.”  Lesson learned! One I will never forget and hopefully never repeat. It is now more than forty years later and every time dad and I talk about that car, or every time someone asks me about my first car, or every time I see one of those cars now and learn how much they sell for, I pay for that mistake. I still hurt over it.

But, I learned from my dad to keep my word, which has brought me many good dividends over the years. By always keeping your word, giving your word is not always so easy. It takes thought, counsel, and a true valuation of the cost associated with keeping that word. To me making a commitment is like pulling the trigger of a firearm: before doing so you better make sure it is safe to do so. If not, much hurt will ultimately follow.

Dr. William Howe