I remember being disappointed as a young person to find out that the games at carnivals and circuses were sometimes rigged. The barrels of some of the guns were slightly twisted or the sites were just a “tad off” or both. Some of the balls were heavier on one side, making, hitting a target next to impossible. I recall a companion saying, “Sometimes you have to cheat to win.”

Even in the grown-up world it seems that some things in life are rigged and we are tempted to cheat in order to win. Some of the excuses are, “Well, if I don’t cheat, I will be cheated”, or even worse, “What ever it takes to win.” But in a world of lying, cheating, and misleading, people need to know there is honor in being honest, and that those who cheat never really win. What are some of the things we lose when we cheat?

As we mentioned, OUR HONOR. “A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches” (Proverbs 11:16). Honorable people are what God’s kingdom is made of and they are pleasing to Him. This verse strikes at the heart of the matter. What is more important? Integrity or fading riches? When we begin to lose self-respect, we begin to lose respect for others and the world becomes an ugly place. The one who really wins is the one who retains his or her honor while winning or losing.

We also begin to lose OUR FAITH IN GOD. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). If you have to cheat to win, then you must not be trusting God to provide. He will take care of our needs, we need not be anxious about that. Part of winning is showing our heavenly Father that, win or lose in life, that we are going to trust in Him. Satan chips away at our faith with small matters until one day we turn around and we have completely departed from God with small, but unfaithful steps.

Ultimately, we lose our SALVATION. Some are going to find that though they got ahead in cheating, in the end they didn’t get by with anything. “These six things the Lord hates, yes seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plan, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19). These are the kind who cheat to get ahead and ultimately lose their soul.

Name one thing that is worth having wherein you must lose your honor, your God, and your salvation? Cheaters never win; God will make sure of that. Though some seem to “get away” with it time and time again, one day their time will run out! “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). If you have been a cheater: repent. If you have retained your honor: you’re a winner!

Copied from Central’s Bulletin

“I would prefer even to fail with honor
than to win by cheating.”
Sophocles

It’s not the great things in this world that make our lives worthwhile,
It’s the little things like a tiny flower, or perhaps a baby’s smile.
A little word, sincerely spoken, can lift our spirits high;
Like a tiny bird perched on a limb sends his message to the sky.
A little dewdrop on a rose and tiny blades of grass,
All sparkle in the sunlight, to cheer us as we pass.
The lovely Johnny jumpups, the smallest flower that grows,
Delight the heart of youngsters peeping up around their toes.
A friendly gesture or a smile mean more to me than gold.
They help us feel that someone cares when we are growing old.
Money cannot buy the things that mean so much to me.
They are part of God’s creation, and all of them are free.

— Laina Owen

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his
holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
Benefit: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
Disease; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction who
Crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.

Psalm 103:1-4