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Day 216 Proverbs 20:23 Proverbs 20:23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Fraud, extortion, corruption, false advertising, all leave a bad taste in a person’s mouth. When people do business, they want to know there is honesty in lending, not that their money will not give them what they expect. New businesses are suspect, while old businesses who advertise how long they have been in business are more trustworthy. People who run into those kinds of shady operations are quick to let the rest of the public know about it, and soon the business disappears. Owners are brought to trial, depending on the depth of their schemes, and either fined or sent to prison. Solomon saw that as a common practice and told the people what God had to say about people who practiced such dishonesty. Deuteronomy 25:13 Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. 14 Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. 15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God gives thee. 16 For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God. God has never looked favorably on dishonest people. He expects his people to be honest in all their business dealings and with their lives in general. Most parents teach their children right from wrong from the moment they understand the word ‘no’. In fact, it is usually the first word a child learns. As children grow, they learn acceptable behaviors, allowing them to make friends, and advance through school and then into the workplace. Employers then take on the child, now an adult, as an employee, based on their general behavior and ability to understand the work they are set to do. Employers want honest employees, as much as God wants honesty among his people. Honest people tend to advance quickly in the work world and gain a reputation for honesty in their work habits. There is another microscope Christians are put under by the public. When you tell a person, you are a Christian, they look at how you conduct yourself. Do your words and actions line up with what they know Christians are supposed to be. Or are you simply going through the motions, telling people you are a Christian, but not living like one. That too is dishonest, and God will judge you accordingly. Paul had a lot to say on the matter to the body of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (KJV) Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. As Christians then, your lives are to be above reproach. You are to conduct yourselves with honor and honesty in everything you say and do, that your actions line up with your words. People will notice, and you will be found worthy to do business with, and God will bless the work of your hands. Let’s pray: Father, help me be honest in everything I say and do. Let my life be pleasing and acceptable to you first, and those who see me, that I might be worthy of what you have called me to do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 12 April 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay