Honest Dealings

Verse of the day: Leviticus 19:13, 35-36 “You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.” 35 “You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. 36 You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”

As born again believers, we are not just mechanics, store clerks, doctors, or business owners. Whatever our profession, we are Christian “fill in the blank”. That means that whatever we do, regardless of occupation or business, we are Christian, primarily. Whatever we do, we represent and serve Jesus first. That means that we should always have a reputation for being someone whose word can be trusted. It means that whatever we promise, we deliver, and we will do so with honesty and integrity. It means that we will be honest, and diligent, in paying what we owe, for services rendered. People ought to have a desire to do business with us, hire us, and deal with us, knowing that we will give our all, and not look to cheat others. Sadly, over the years, I have preferred to do business, and seek the services of unsaved business owners because they have been more honest, and more economical to deal with than doing business and dealing with Christians. That truly is a sad commentary. God commanded the Israelites not to cheat one another, but to deal with each other honestly in matters of land, buying, selling, and paying of wages. Honesty in business or life in general first comes from being who we are supposed to be in Christ; that is why I said in the beginning, whatever we are, we are Christian first. Whether we are employer, employee, or business partner, our reputation should be such that no one would hesitate to hire us, work for us, or enter into contract with us. The primary concern we should have in being honest in our dealings with other is what God sees and desire of us as His children. Leviticus 25:14 tells us, “And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another.” Proverbs 11:1 reads, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.” The bottom line is that whatever we do, in dealing with others, we must do knowing that we are doing it in our service to the Lord. Colossians 3:17 clearly tells us, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” One of the greatest downfalls I have seen in respect to Christian business is the greed that develops when “making money” becomes more important than offering a service that will be a blessing and a testimony for Christ. We must not forget the evil of loving money and personal gain. Far too many people, who are successful in business, become preoccupied with becoming wealthy, and fall into a temptation that ends in their destruction, and the destruction of family, and personal relationships. 1 Timothy 6 warns us about what happens when we choose riches over godliness. Verses 6-10 tells us, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” In all that we do, let us be known as workers who go the extra mile, and have an honest reputation. As an employer, let us be known as someone who cares about the wellbeing of his/her employees; and as business people, let us be known as Christians who are honest and a pleasure to deal with. Let us do this all to the glory of God. The Apostle Paul put it this way in Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).