Just say a simple, “Yes, I will,” or “No, I won’t.” Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

~Matthew 5:37 NLT

Even as a young boy, I knew he was as good as his word.

My paternal grandfather was a simple man. He didn’t come from a wealthy family. In fact, he grew up in a small shack snuggled in the middle of a field located between Cameron and Elloree, South Carolina—a shack that had to accommodate him, his parents, and five other siblings. To make matters worse, when my grandfather was only twelve years old, he had to watch his father die, leaving him as the man of the house. Along with an uncle who agreed to help, my grandfather quit school in the sixth grade to care for the family farm. And all of this happened just prior to the great stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression.

By the time I came along, my grandfather hadn’t changed much in many respects. Although he wasn’t a farmer any longer—he drove an ice cream truck—he remained the simple man he had always been. He never made a great deal of money, so occasionally he would have to “rob Peter to pay Paul,” as he said. This might be to buy a house, to purchase a used car (he never owned a new car in his lifetime), to make a costly house repair, to buy a lawnmower, or to get a new washing machine.

Unexpected things happened more than once, so over time, my grandfather built up quite a reputation with the local banker. If my grandfather needed money, all he had to do was visit his “friend” at the bank and ask. I’m sure my grandfather had to sign some paperwork—although I doubt it was as much as he’d have to sign if he were alive today—but the manager didn’t run a credit check. He knew my grandfather, and he knew he was as good as his word.

What Jesus teaches—that we shouldn’t make vows or promises and sure them up by swearing by something—is somewhat impossible in developed countries. If I need to borrow, my word won’t be enough. I’ll have to sign mounds of paperwork and perhaps even put up collateral.

Although I may have to sign paperwork to borrow money, Jesus’ principle can still apply. The person I make a promise to should see I’m as good as my word. And this goes beyond borrowing money. Any promise I make, I should honor. Which means thinking carefully about what I promise, as well as taking any promise I make seriously.

Any promise I make, I should honor.

Which means thinking carefully about what I promise,

as well as taking any promise I make seriously.

~Martin Wiles

The writer of Proverbs said, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1 ESV).

When we’re as good as our word, our character shines through and so does our reputation—something that takes time to build, but something we can ruin by hasty or bad decisions. Once ruined, building it back takes a long time.

What are two actions you can take to make sure you’re always as good as your word?

Father, help me to follow Your example by being as good as my word.

Copyright 2020: As Good as Your Word: Author Martin Wiles: All Rights Reserved.

Meet Our Contributor 

MARTIN WILES

Martin Wiles is an author, English teacher, and freelance editor who resides in Greenwood, South Carolina.

He is the Founder and Editor of the internationally recognized devotion site, Love Lines from God.

Wiles is the Managing Editor for Christian Devotions, the Senior Editor for Inspire a Fire, and a Proof Editor for Courier Publishing. He has also served as Web Content Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.

Wiles has authored A Whisper in the Wood: Quiet Escapes in a Noisy World (Ambassador International), Grits & Grace & God and Grits, Gumbo, and Going to Church (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas), Morning By Morning, Morning Serenity, and Grace Greater Than Sin (America Star Books) and is a contributing author in Penned from the Heart (Son-Rise Publications), Rise (Chaplain Publishing), and Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).

He has served as Regional Correspondent and Sunday school lesson writer for the Baptist Courier and has also written for Lifeway’s Bible Studies for Life curriculum.

Wiles has also been published in Christian Living in the Mature Years, Mature Living, Open Windows, Proclaim, The Secret Place, The Word in Season, Upper Room, Light from the Word, Reach Out Columbia, Mustard Seed Ministries, Journey Christian Newspaper, Common Ground Herald, The Quiet Hour, Power for Living, Halo Magazine, Joyful Living Magazine, Christian Broadcasting Network, Sharing, Today’s Christian Living, These Days, Plum Tree Tavern, Eskimo Pie, The Scarlet Leaf Review, Creation Illustrated, LIVE, Purpose Magazine, Stand Firm, The Banner, Relevant, and Lutheran Digest.

He is a regular contributor to Christian Devotions, PCC Daily Devotions, Theology Mix, Inspire a Fire, The Write Conversation, and Vine Words: Devotions and More, and is a regular writer for the Dorchester County Eagle Record, the Orangeburg County Times and Democrat, and the Greenwood County Index Journal.

Wiles’ latest book, Don’t Just Live…Really Live is under contract with Ambassador International.

CONNECT WITH MARTIN WILES AT:

Managing Editor, Christian Devotions

Senior Editor, Inspire a Fire

Proof Editor, Courier Publishing

Author, A Whisper in the Woods, Grits, Gumbo, and Going to Church and Grits, Grace, and God.

On the Web: Love Lines From God

BOOK LINKS:

Grits, Gumbo, and Going to Church https://www.amazon.com/Grits-Gumbo-Going-Church-Martin/dp/1798510375

Grits & Grace and God https://www.amazon.com/Grits-Grace-God-Heaven-Southern/dp/1645261379

A Whisper in the Woods: Quiet Escapes in a Noisy World https://www.amazon.com/Whisper-Woods-Quiet-Escapes-Noisy/dp/1620208652