“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is his delight.”
Proverbs 11:1 ESV
A common thread throughout the book of Proverbs is integrity. Although the word integrity doesn’t appear in this verse the concept is certainly present. Notice the contrast between false and just.
Here, the writer uses imagery from the market. Imagine yourself as a day laborer, working some days, but not every day. The wages are meager at best, and with those few coins you enter the market to get some food for your family. You search diligently to get the most for the least because that is the only way you can feed your family.
This is the context of this verse. Of course, this is not to say that the rich are not within the scope of this verse, but a false balance that unfairly increases the price of necessities by pennies will not destroy the rich. A few extra pennies, though, may decimate the poor.
Readers should extend this verse to themselves. Do not say, I don’t work in the market, so this doesn’t apply to me. Integrity matters to God. Thus, it should matter to us, regardless of where we work.
How are you guarding your integrity?
Speak Your Mind