Fatherhood (Part 2)预览

Penney’s dad did not laugh

If it weren't for a dishonest grocery entrepreneur, J.C Penney would probably be the owner of the grocery business, rather than the owner of the leading grocery chain that he is today.

When Penney was a teenager, he worked for a businessman in Hamilton, Missouri. Penney loved the job and intended to have such a venture in the future. One day he came home and proudly told his family about his 'crafty' employer.

His employer had a habit of mixing low-quality coffee with coffee from well-known brands to increase his profits. The story was told by Jim with a laugh.

His father didn't see anything funny about it. "Tell me," said the father, "if the salesperson finds out that someone is deceiving him by giving him a lower quality item for the best price paid to that person, will your employer think that the person is just being a bit sly and laugh about it?"

Jim could see that his father felt a little disappointed in him. "I don't think so, dad," said Jim. "I don't think he would think that way."

Jim's father then ordered Jim to go to the employer the next day, ask for his wages, and tell him that he would no longer work for him.

At that time there were not many jobs available in Hamilton, but Mr. Penney would prefer his son to be unemployed than let him deal with a dishonest businessman.

Those who educate children well are more respected than those who bear children; because they only give life to children, while another group teaches the art of living well.

(Aristotle)

Leviticus 19:35 

"You shall do no injustice in judgment, in the measurement of length, weight, or volume.”

Reflection:

There are not many parents who are more concerned with character than money. Money is not everything. If we lose money, we can still find it. But once we lose character, it can take years to fix it.