How honest do we have to be, really?
I'm currently using someone else's internet. Whose? I don't know. My computer checked all the wireless internet connections, found, and connected to this one. I am very happy about this, otherwise we wouldn't have internet. I cannot justify spending $60 a month on internet, which is what Verizon has quoted me (they apparently have a monopoly on base here and are the ones we would have to go through). So I decided to do without internet at home and go to the internet cafe for like 30 minutes every other day to check email and stuff. But my computer has connected so I get it in my home! But is this honest?
When I go to the movies, I sneak in my own treats. And why wouldn't I? You can get the exact same box of Junior Mints for much cheaper at the grocery store than in the theater. I know it's against the rules, but seriously? Isn't there something to be said for frugality?
I have told people I have done things (errands, paperwork, etc.) when I haven't, but meant to and I've gotten it done before they noticed. I elaborate on my accomplishments and try to make my life seem more exciting than it is. I don't correct the store when I'm undercharged (but on the other side, I don't correct them when I'm overcharged either). I say things are not a problem when they really are.
I would say I'm an honest person, but maybe I'm not.
A definition from dictionary.com says honest is "honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair". That seems like there may be some wiggle room in there as to what exactly is honest. "Honorable" suggests that you want the greater good, like saving money on movie treats versus following the rules completely. And "fair"...? Who determines what is fair? It is fair of Verizon to charge $60 for internet?
I really like the parable of the laborers in the vineyard in Matthew 20. The householder hired laborers to work for a penny for the whole day. Then he went out and hired other people to work for part of the day, some came to work at the eleventh hour, and still everyone got paid the same. Is this fair? The scripture says it is, because everyone was given what they said they would be given. Now if the man who worked all day for the same pay as the man who worked for one hour goes home and finds his computer connects to the other man's internet for free, is it wrong for him to use it?
Honesty is something I have underestimated. I think I'm honest because I don't lie without a justified reason. I don't steal unless it's someone else's mistake. I don't go out of my way to fraud people, but if it comes to me and it's inconvenient to correct the situation, I let it go. This isn't honest.
A definition of honest I like more is from wiktionary.org: "scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; ... true, esp. true as far as the knowledge of the person making the statement; ..." Apparently if you know what you are doing is questionable, it is not honest.
CRAP