What does the giving of one’s word mean?
Without integrity of word and behavior it is impossible to check man’s descent into chaos. This would be true of the individual as well as the culture!
At one time one’s word once given and due to a man’s character was as real as truth. It was in that time that a man did not need to execute a contract because a man’s word meant something. It was his sacred duty to keep his word and so “A man’s word was his bond.” Said another way he held himself in the bonds of his word. Such was so unless released by the other party. It was an issue or personal ethics.
Often one carried out his word; it was viewed as his sacred duty because it spoke to his personal reputation and his honor. Thus a man even at great personal cost, loss of material wealth, or even loss of his own life, could be counted upon to do what he said he would do and behave as he said he would behave.
Sadly in today’s culture one is beyond naïve if he does business on a handshake. Recently I was in a meeting in which it was decided that the group would purchase a series of products at an agreed upon price. It was moved, seconded, and passed. There was no contract only a verbal agreement that the product would be produced at a certain price point.
The product arrived and then it was revealed to the group that there were additional “set up” charges. It was moved, seconded, and passed that we pay the additional charges. There were two dissenting “no” votes. The reason I so voted was based solely on the fact that there had been an agreement and that the other party had made an agreement and then did not perform according to the agreement.
How one keeping his or her word has changed. Today if one feels that he inconvenienced or feels that the costs involved are too unfair, such a person seeks to be divested of any responsibility to carry though with his commitments. He may blame circumstances and comfortably believe he is absolved of such responsibility as his word has established however in making the decision and in giving himself such permission, he does incur another consequence that may ultimately be more costly and inconvenient. Indeed it is a character issue!
The simple truth is that for one to act outside of his word gives practical expression to the moral fiber of his heart. It very clearly suggests a life and belief system which is void of such things as trust, honor, honesty, respect for others, and personal integrity. To gain such a reputation is a consequence and a cost much higher than any inconvenience or material loss that may accrue.
The business community is littered with failures neither because of quality nor craftsmanship but because a man would excuse himself from keeping his word. Such a decision is not without consequence in one’s own life and in the lives of those he contacts. We found such to be so in a home project—a kitchen remodel in which the cabinet installer just could not seem to keep his word.
Is it any wonder that we live in a culture that is unraveling? Some years ago I formed a “handshake” agreement with a service manager to have certain work done on my car at a certain price. All was well and good until I got the bill. Later I found out that he did the same thing with others and that he was dismissed from the position by the owner. The sad part is that someone else hired him in the same position and so he went on deceiving other unsuspecting customers.
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