Bible Reading: Proverbs 11
Key Verse: Verse 1 – “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”
Key Words: A false balance is abomination to the LORD
There are at least ten different values found in Proverbs, chapter eleven.
There are commercial values (verse 1), conceited values (verse 2), Christian values (verses 3-9), city values (verses 10-15), comparative values (verse 16), contrasting values (verses 17-21), confused values (verses 22-23), congenial values (verses 24-26), concerning values (verses 27-28), and character values (verses 30-31).
But I draw your attention to verse one and the importance of dealing with others with honesty and integrity. During Solomon’s day, the merchants would often cheat the consumer by tipping the scales in their favor.
A housewife went to the local market and asked the butcher for a chicken weighing four pounds. The butcher had only one chicken left and it weighed three pounds. “I’m sorry,” the woman said, “its isn’t quite big enough. I’ll have to go to another market.”
The butcher, who was not scrupulously honest and didn’t want to lose a customer, stopped her. “Madam,” he said, “I just remembered that I may have one more chicken in the freezer. Please wait one moment.” He then carried the three-pound chicken to the freezer in the back of the store, waited a minute, then came back holding the same chicken. “You’re in luck, madam,” he said. “I found another chicken. He placed it on the scale and, unseen by the customer, slightly pressed the scale with his finger so that it indicated four pounds. “ There you are , madam.”
The customer thought for a second. “Tell you what,” she said. “Since you were so helpful, I’ll take both chickens.”
The story makes us smile because the dishonest merchant was caught in his fraudulent scheme. “A false balance is abomination.” Be honest in all your dealings.
What to do:
✞ Be honest.
✞ Be sure your sin will find you out.
Are you Saved? | Get These Free Devotions Everyday By Email
