In the ancient world, a trader would carry two sets of weights. When buying they used the weight that favored them and when selling they used another weight to their advantage.
Solomon had something to say about this practice.
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but an accurate weight is his delight. (Proverbs 11.1)
“Abomination” is used to describe practices such as idol worship, human sacrifice, and various forms of sexual immorality.
Even though false business dealings are considered “business as usual” in many cultures, Solomon puts the deceptive trader in the same category as these abhorrent deeds.
On the other hand, God takes pleasure in honest business practices. He does so because they align with His righteous character.
Pride Vs. Humility
The greatest evidence of human pride is the belief that we know better than God. Both the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) are excellent foundations for living.
The prideful human disregards God’s direction in favor of their own. Solomon lectures his students on the subject of pride.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but wisdom is with the humble. (Proverbs 11.2)
In Philippians, Paul encourages us to have “the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to describe Jesus’ humble approach to life in a powerful poem.
This was the result of Jesus’ willingness to be humble and obedient.
Therefore God exalted him even more highly
and gave him the name
that is above every other name. (Philippians 2.9)
If humility is good enough for Jesus, shouldn’t it be good enough for us?
Integrity Vs. Crookedness
Righteousness and justice are two central aspects of God’s character. When humans embrace these traits, which are inherent in God’s nature, they exhibit integrity.
Why should humans strive for integrity? Solomon has a good answer to this question.
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 11.3-4)
Jesus told a parable about a rich man who had so much wealth that he needed to provide bigger “barns” to hold it all. The man didn’t add into the equation the fact that one day he would die.
Jesus concluded the parable with an evaluation. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
“So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God” (Luke 12.20-21)
The fool, whether crooked, treacherous, or not, is someone who believes there will be no accountability for their actions.
The person who is guided by integrity and righteousness will hear God’s “well done, my good and faithful servant,” when they meet Him face-to-face.
Our Response
Humility, integrity, righteousness, and justice describe the behavior that God wants from His children. What can we do to create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can help us develop these character traits?
(1) God has made his directions plain. The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount reveal God’s plan for the kind of life that Solomon describes.
At the least, we should strive to know and understand these important passages. They are a valuable gauge of whether we align with God’s character or not.
(2) Paul knew God’s wishes, but continually failed to follow them.
In frustration, he cried out, “Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7.24).
Who will rescue us from knowing what to do, but continually failing in the task? Paul answers in Romans 8 with his lesson on the Holy Spirit.
I encourage you to read Romans 8 and tell the Holy Spirit that you need His help to live a life like the one we have discussed today.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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