Article March 21, 1931 Issue

Standards of Conduct

WILLIAM J. WEAKLEY

We look to standards to measure our progress in all forms of activity. In the Ten Commandments Moses set a standard for human conduct; and Jesus fully demonstrated its applicability to the race.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, on page 247, it is stated that "custom, education, and fashion form the transient standards of mortals." Many business problems result from not living up to our highest standard of conduct with our fellow men. This is especially true of the question of supply. What may seem to be an exaction of business usage—such, for instance, as the prompt payment of bills—is but a standard of fair moral dealing. Business is the rendering of services one to another. The recipient is, or should be, glad to exchange his services in return—whether it be in work and labor, or condensed in the convenient form of money. Jesus recognized this standard of reciprocation when he sent our the seventy disciples to heal, because he commanded them to "carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes," and said, "For the labourer is worthy of his hire." Under our modern system of civilization the failure promptly to reciprocate our appreciation of a service rendered, by payment or otherwise, oftentimes works a hardship upon our brother. It is our duty, as the Apostle Paul admonishes, to "owe no man any thing, but to love one another."

Paul's injunction necessitates more than the payment of our material debts. The duty to love one another requires us, whenever the opportunity presents itself, to help a delinquent brother appreciate his obligation to "owe no man any thing, but to love one another," even though we ourselves be his creditor; for frequently this is the word of truth that he especially needs.

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