As I went into the post office the other day, something on the floor caught my eye--a ten dollar bill! There was no one else there, but a lady had just walked out the door. I used to hear as a child the little jingle, “Finders keepers, losers weepers,” so based on that mentality, I had found a crisp piece of money to put in my pocket. But just because we have heard something for many years does not mean that it is the right thing to follow. I knew right away that in all likelihood that that piece of money belonged to the person who walked out of the door as I was entering and the only right thing to do was to ask her if it was hers. So I quickly went out the door, inquired if she had lost some money, and found that it indeed belonged to her.

Would it have been nice to have had a little unexpected money? Certainly, but the satisfaction of doing the right thing outweighed any satisfaction I might have gained by pocketing the cash. Furthermore, I am reminded of the words of Christ in Matthew 7 where He said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (verse 12, NIV).

Had the situation been reversed, it would have been a joy if someone had done the same for me.

I do not share that incident to try to prove that I am an honest and righteous man. Instead, I use it as a reminder that we all face challenges everyday that require a choice on our part to either do what is right and pleasing to God, or to choose the things that are contrary to His plan for our lives.

Perhaps we will be more inclined to choose to do what is right by reminding ourselves of what Christ has called us to be: the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13- 16). Concerning light, Christ reminded His hearers that light shines for the purpose of being seen and not hidden. He instructed them then and us today with these words, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven” (verse 16).

In his devotional book Wisdom For the Way, Charles Swindoll writes concerning the importance of Christians being

salt and light to those who

observe our lives, “Without our influence, this old world would soon begin to realize our absence. Even though it might not admit it, society needs both salt and light.”

As we continue, the journey through the Lenten season and reflect upon what Christ endured, so we can believe upon Him and receive eternal life, it should be an increasing desire of each of us to be the examples to others that He has called us to be. As the salt and light of the earth, we have the responsibility of doing the right thing in every situation--in both the small and the big things.