A recent incident reminded me of a daily task I had to undertake, with others, in the early days of my banking career. Every cheque that was “drawn” on the branch where I worked had to be examined for 13 specific things. When teaching at the Bank’s training school, this was known as SWEDES CLAMPS AND F.
Some years after I left, an elderly lady told me that having signed her sister’s cheque in error, she visited her branch to apologise and was informed, “You don’t need to worry, we don’t check anything if the cheque is under £200!” Of course, the fact that the wrong account would be charged didn’t seem important to the member of staff.
Subsequent events have reduced this list considerably, and current banking practice makes me think that seldom or no checks on cheques are made at all, and any errors are dealt with when a complaint is raised!
Many of us in our older years will have seen considerable changes in church services and activities. My personal challenge is, have these changes had a positive or negative effect on Bible truth? I am impressed with many modern means of communications, some amazing new hymns and songs, yet there are times when I feel a little apprehensive when measuring against the Bible.
My desire in sharing these thoughts today is to learn a lesson from my early banking days. An old song includes a part of a phrase that states, “Eliminate the negative, accentuate the positive”.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, grant wisdom to those who teach through written or oral communications, and enable us to respond according to Your Will. AMEN