Happy Birthday to my brother, Rob, today! He turns…well, he was born in 1954 so I’ll let you do the math. I just won’t tell you his age. 🙂
I missed reading yesterday Proverbs yesterday (Sunday) so I read chapters 20 & 21 this morning. I noticed an anomaly in chapter 20. Stop for a moment and read verses 10 and 23. Different wording yes. But they are essentially saying the same thing.
I drew a line from verse 10 to verse 23 in my Bible and wrote two words along the line: honesty matter. I’m not too old that I don’t remember when a man’s handshake was good enough.
“A man’s word is his bond” we used to say.
“Honesty in the best policy.”
It used to be honesty mattered and cheating was an abomination. Sadly, not any more. Politics. Education. Media. Sports. Taxes. Churches. Cheating seem to be running rampant. The saddest? The latter. Above all, the church should stand head and shoulders above the fray. But we don’t and haven’t. Churches are made up of people-flawed people.
Because we represent Christ, we need to be hyper-aware of the signals we are giving. We are to be people who are honest and integrity-driven. Let me close this devotion with a passage from chapter 21: “Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord examines the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.”
“Father, may I be a man of honesty and integrity and truthfulness.”
“Honesty is the best policy.”
Yes, as Christ followers, we should stand head and shoulders above the crowd, Bill. So sad when we fail at this.
Blessings!
It is sad and damaging Martha. Thanks for the comment.
I noticed the same thing yesterday Bill, I noticed that of the 30 verses, 5 of them could be attributed to business dealings and work ethic. I suspect the problem with cheating and manipulating have been around since shortly after creation. When one has the “Me First” attitude, it doesn’t take long to slide down that slope. I actually noted in my journal to be extra diligent today while working to make sure I am giving it my all.
Glad you noted it also Ryan. I’m excited to hear about the journaling. That too will change your life.