Honesty 03.09.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday March 9, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Deuteronomy. Please read Deuteronomy 24 -- 27 in your Bible or Click Here to read.
In today's study we will read and learn about divorce; domestic relations; firstfruits and tithes; the Law on Mount Ebal; and an altar on Mount Gerizim. Today's message focuses on the importance of being honest.

God required that all of Israel's business transactions reflect His integrity and justice. Deception and dis honesty too often have marked the business principals of the world then and now. Moses, the lawgiver and prophet, warned against two sets of weights and measures one for buying and the other for selling. "Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. 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 giveth thee. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God." (Deuteronomy 25:14-16).

God hates lying and bribery. Each of us has the opportunity to exercise the principles of justice and equity or to take advantage of others, which takes some form of dishonesty such as wasting time on the job, taking what doesn't belong to us, unethical business transactions, lies, fraud, or any other dishonest act. Often the believer will be exposed to innumerable disappointments; he may be deceived by someone he trusts or injured by others he has helped to benefit. However, all these disappointments give the believer the opportunity to exercise the character and nature of God in the spirit of forgiving love and long-suffering.

Our relationship with others goes much deeper than either word or deed; it goes to the hidden motives of our hearts and reveals what we truly are. This means that the thoughts of a Christian should always be the expression of what Jesus would do. The attitude of fairness and consideration for others' well-being applies to a Christian's daily conduct. The self-centered "I" must give way to Christ and His control.

It is possible to have bitter thoughts while doing kind deeds and to say loving words while having wrong attitudes and motives. But, our Adamic nature and its self-serving conduct can be overcome by the Christ-centered nature that He has bestowed within us. Our Lord leads us to consider others and admonishes us to think of our neighbor as our equal and someone whom God loves and whom Jesus gave His life to save. He persuades us to overcome our selfishness and consider our neighbor's best interest. In our thoughts, we should change places with the person with whom we have business dealings and ask ourselves: "If he were where I am, and I were where he is, how would I want him to treat me in this transaction?" We need to, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:3-4).

Today's Psalm: 39:11
"When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah"

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a wonderfully blessed day/night.
God bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net