August 28, 2020 – Click here to listen
I’ve been searching for a new home in the Florida Keys for some time now. It has been extremely difficult to find anything suitable to meet our needs. Property down there is selling so fast that inventory is very low, and prices are very high. Every home we have found that we like has been bought out from under us and they are experiencing a seller’s utopia down there as more and more people want to move there.
Complicating my problem is the fact that I haven’t sold my existing home in Jupiter and intend to use those funds in part to buy the new home. Thus when I’ve found something that I like I haven’t been able to make an offer except for contingency which is not highly regarded.
So my agent took us to see a home that is not on the market yet that is currently under construction and will be completed sometime in the next 60 days. It is perfect for what we desire, and I made an offer for it. The builder came back and said he would accept it if I could provide proof of funds. While I could have asked my financial adviser and investment firm to do as he asked and secured the contract, it would have meant compromising my word because I knew full well I was not going to buy that home unless and until I sold my home and used those funds.
My agent tried his utmost to get me to deceive the guy saying that it was the “norm” for the industry. He said that people do it all of the time. They secure the home with a refundable deposit and if they cannot sell their home or otherwise raise the needed funds they just walk away from the deal leaving the seller to start over again with the selling process. Initially I wanted that home so badly I was sorely tempted to do so, but I knew it was wrong and I didn’t want to lie about it.
So I instructed the agent to tell the truth to the seller and tell them that my purchase was contingent upon selling my existing home. He was not happy and told me I had probably just lost that home because as soon as it was listed it would immediately sell. I acknowledged that but told him I could not in good conscience deceive the builder and it was morally wrong and I would not compromise my integrity.
He was not happy but did as I asked, and I didn’t hear from him again. I told my wife that I supposed that he was angry, and we probably needed to find another agent and I would proceed with it in the morning.
So I was watching the Republican convention last night and I got a phone call. My agent excitedly told me that the builder had signed the contract and had told him he very much had appreciated my honesty. I could not believe my ears. I just knew that we would lose this house and had already accepted the loss of the house that we love as a cost of being honest and forthright.
Of course I still haven’t sold my home, but waterfront property is just as valuable here in Jupiter and my agent here thinks he might even sell it this weekend. I have more time now to do so and in fact a couple is coming to look at it again today for the third time. Several others are looking at it too and prospects are good that it will sell in time to do this deal.
Whether we end up with that house or not I have still won this battle. I have the knowledge that I was sorely tempted, but successfully fought Satan off with my word intact.
My friends just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean it is right. Peace of mind in knowing that I did the right thing means far more to me than all of the houses and good deals in the Florida Keys or the United States at large for that matter.
The object of this life for me is to love, honor, and obey our Lord and to treat others as we would like to be treated. Sometimes I will fall short and have done so; nonetheless, that is the goal.
Honesty is marked as being free from deceit or untruthfulness, and being sincere. The Christian life should be one marked with integrity and honesty, but make no mistake, sin is lurking seemingly around every corner. Honesty is something that we must work on every day! Think about your relationships with spouses and kids, at your workplace, and interacting with your neighbors.
It is a fact that when we succeed in fighting off temptation we will be blessed.
In my case this does not mean that I’m assured that I will close on the house of my dreams; it does mean that I can sleep well at night and get up and look myself in the mirror with no regrets (aside from being an ugly old coot.)
2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!