Do the Right Thing

The message that we get from the world is that there is no “right thing,” that everything is relative, and that it’s ok to do what we want. And it is true that sometimes there is no “right thing.” But we have taken it too far, to where I hear people say things like “if I really need that, it’s ok to take it from someone.” Or, “if I won’t get caught, then it’s ok to do.” I believe that there is a right and a wrong in most cases – it is wrong to lie, wrong to steal, and wrong to harm others.

I think most of us know that stealing is wrong, and we wouldn’t walk into a store and take something without paying for it. But we don’t mind copying music or a movie that we didn’t pay for…

Technology has make things confusing – people who wouldn’t dream of shoplifting a CD will happily copy or download the same music without paying for it. It doesn’t feel like stealing, but the end result is the same (you got music and no one got paid for their copyrighted material).

I hear people sometimes say “no one will ever catch me so it doesn’t matter,” or “they don’t deserve my money because they are a rich (person/actor/musician/company) – besides, I need the money more than they do.” It is still taking something without compensating the person who created it. It is still stealing. It is still wrong. Think about it….

Let’s take a quiz:

1. You have just finished eating at a restaurant. When the waiter brings you the bill, you notice that something you ordered isn’t listed on the bill. Do you:
a. Figure this is your lucky day.
b. Decide that their prices are too high anyway and you deserve the break.
c. Tell the waiter and ask him to add the item onto your bill.

2. A store clerk gives you $10 change instead of $5, and you notice it right away. Do you:
a. Quickly put the money in your wallet before she notices.
b. Give the $10 back and get the correct change.

3. You order some items over the Internet. When they arrive, you notice that the person who packed your order gave you 5 of each item instead of 1. You check the invoice and see that you were only charged for 1 of each item. Do you:
a. Decide that their bad luck is your good luck, and forget about it.
b. Think about calling them but then get caught up in more important things.
c. Call them and explain the situation, offering to return the items.

4. You hear a song that you really like and your son offers to get it for you free. Do you:
a. Thank him and ask him to show you how to do that.
b. Explain to him that the artist relies on sales to pay his bills and that you will go to I-Tunes and purchase the song.

In the first three cases, if you choose to let it go, someone will end up paying for your good fortune. Chances are the person who made the mistake will get that taken out of their paycheck or will get into trouble.

If you reverse the situation – let’s say the waiter put an extra item on your bill that you neither ordered nor received – you would most likely be very quick to point out the error!!!