✝ Daily Encouragement (6/14/23) "Honest Scales"

Published: Wed, 06/14/23

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.

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Wednesday, June 14, 2023

These huge silos are on Route 999 in Manor Township in Lancaster County, PA. Brooksyne snapped this photo, from her passenger seat, through the window of the driver's side as we were swiftly passing. In fact, that's how many of our farm views are taken. I just kind of suck in my chest and sit snug against my seat to give her a little more space to snap the image between me and the steering wheel! Locals will notice the Turkey Hill windmills in the background.

(Click to enlarge)

"Honest Scales"

Message summary: Are you using "honest scales"?

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"Use honest scales and honest weights" ( Leviticus 19:36). "The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please Him" (Proverbs 20:23). "The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud" (Hosea 12:7). " Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights? (Micah 6:11).

For many of us our main acquaintance with scales are the bathroom scales where we seek to monitor our personal weight. Following my surgery early this year I lost some weight but bluntly need to lose more.

However I was heartened last Sunday when after the service we conversed with the couple who sit in front of us at church. She noted my weight loss and startled me by informing me, "You look skinny". Now I haven't heard "You look skinny" since high school when I actually was skinny. I think she was just slightly exaggerating her commendation at observing some weight loss but I'll take it!

We do not see an instance of scales being used in the Bible for weighing ourselves physically* although the Bible does record some instances of heavy people. There was Eglon, king of Moab, who is described as, "a very fat man' (Judges 3:17).

But scales are used in many other applications and we likely give them little thought. We assume they are honest (accurate) but we really don't know. As our daily selection of Scripture verses indicate honest scales matter to God. These verses also represent the need for honesty and integrity in all areas of life.

We have a friend who runs a business that uses scales. A business owner that runs such a business may be tempted to adjust the scales a little bit in their favor but this would not be honoring to God. Our friend, a longtime follower of Christ, told us he would not even consider such a thing but we wonder how many do, not just in regard to actual scales but in all the other ways people can be shorted.

What if instead of getting a gallon of gasoline when we fill our vehicles the pumps were calibrated to dispense 98% of a gallon. Customers would not know that but if the station sold thousands of gallons of gas in a day that would increase their profit margin. That's why pumps, scales and other measuring devices are regulated and our business owner friend explained that there are heavy fines for having a dishonest scale. Next time you fill-up notice the state calibrations sticker on the pump.

Proverbs 16:11 states, "Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s." The Enduring Word Bible Commentary states, "Fair business and measures are so pleasing to God that it can be said that honest measures belong to Him. All of God’s measurements and assessments are fair and true. The right measure comes from God and belongs to Him. Fair and honest business is God’s business, His work."

Using honest scales and honest weights (literally and representative of honesty in all areas of life) is an expression of practicing the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". It is also a way of pleasing and honoring God for His Word states, "The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please Him" (Proverbs 20:23).

Are you using "honest scales"?

Be encouraged today, ( Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You require me to do justly so that would include the way I conduct myself in dealing with others, both personally and in a business sense. Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You; for it teaches me to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before You. Even when doing so brings about hurtful circumstances help me to do the right thing in keeping with the Christ-filled nature I received upon the day of my salvation. May I not be found lacking in integrity but rather be characterized by my integrity as it honors my Father in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

* The Bible does have some verses about personal weight, but figuratively such as "Let Him weigh me with accurate scales, and let God know my integrity" (Job 31:6). Also the sobering writing on the wall that Daniel interpreted for Belshazzar “Tekel: You’ve been weighed on the scales and found wanting” (Daniel 5:27). We wrote about this in a message titled, "Weighed And Found Wanting"

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