When winning isn't really winning

I have known some people in my lifetime for which winning an argument is one
of the most important things they can do. They are not secure unless they
get the "last" word in or make the last jab. The problem is that even though
they may win the argument or at least silence the one they are arguing with,
they may be the looser in the long run.

Have you every asked yourself; just what winning that argument cost you?
What about the respect of others, friendships, your ethics, your sense of
well being or your ability to sleep nights?

I received the following story from some unknown author that kind of fits
right about here. "Last year I replaced several windows in my house and they
were the expensive, double-pane, energy efficient kind. But this week I got
a call from the contractor complaining that his work has been completed for
a whole year and I had yet to pay for them.

Boy or boy did we go a round. Just because I'm old doesn't mean that I am
automatically stupid. So, I proceeded to tell him just what his fast talking
sales guy had told me last year, "that in one year the windows would pay for
themselves." Well, there was silence on the other end of the line, so I just
hung up and I haven't heard from them again. I guess I must have won "that"
argument."

Now I know that the story is probably just that, "a story," but after I read
it I chuckled and felt good for the fellow for being so witty. At least I
did until I started to think more about it. Maybe you did too, but think
about it for a moment. The fellow in the story may have won the argument and
even saved a bunch of money and you may be saying, "That's right! He was
able to win one!" But what was the cost to his integrity? What about the
contractor who had to pay for the windows and the labor? What does our
reaction to the story say about our value system, our honest our sense of
right and wrong?

There is a simple scripture that fits here, yet one which we don't use
nearly enough. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 that we are suppose to live in
such a way that people can see our good works and glorify the Father. He
also said that we are to treat others, as we would like to be treated
ourselves.

How about it, is it time to re-think your value system, your sense of right
and wrong, your ethics? My prayer is that God will open the eyes of our
hearts and help us to daily take on more of His values.

Russ Lawson