Bulletin Articles
Dishonest Gain
We live in an age where we are always buying and selling. And not just the normal things like groceries, gas, and everyday bills. But we find ourselves scouring Facebook marketplace and other sites like it to find the next “deal” or find our next big score!
As much as I think it is wise to look in places like these to find a good deal, unfortunately places like this are where the Christian is tempted to covet things they do not need, or act in a less than honorable way in their business dealings with strangers.
Well, to no surprise, the Proverbs have a lot to say when it comes to our business dealings. Here are a few to consider:
When it comes to being a buyer, Proverbs 20:14 gives the following warning: “It’s worthless, it’s worthless! ” the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.” Have you ever been guilty of this? You find what you have been looking for and when it comes time to negotiate, you begin to pick apart that thing you love in an attempt to get the deal you want? The proverbs clearly condemn this! This is not being honest.
In another place, the proverb writer says, “Better the poor person who lives with integrity than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.” - Proverbs 28:6 (CSB). This clearly works both ways. Not only should the buyer be honest as he negotiates the price, but so should the seller! We have integrity that we are trying to maintain as we have these interactions. Is it really worth saving X amount of dollars to forfeit your integrity?
One final reminder for the Christian when it comes to these dealings. Proverbs 28:22 (CSB) - “A greedy one is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.” I have met a few Christians who have shared with me their passion of buying things at yard sales, Facebook marketplace, or other places like these. But what happens is they begin to accumulate many things in an attempt to resale them and become rich! However, what ends up happening in many cases is they acquire a lot of junk, and also have no money left… This is a sad thing to see. If God has been gracious to give us income and work to do, let’s be diligent to be good stewards of it and not waste it on the junk we find in these places!
