By Pastor Scott
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight. (Proverbs 11:1 NKJV)
Crooked merchants sometimes had two sets of weights, one for buying and one for selling. The buying weights were heavier than they should have been, so that he got more merchandise than he paid for. The selling weights were lighter than the standard, so that the customer got less than he paid for.
The term abomination was reserved for terrible, horrific things. This shows just how deeply God cares about simple honesty and fairness. He regards dishonest scales as an abomination. You may remember Jesus turning over the money changes tables in temple, as He was outraged at the people being cheated and ripped off from a true worship experience.
Notice on the positive, A just weight is His delight. To the degree that God condemns the dishonest who defraud, He has delight in just and fair business practices.
The Law of Moses clearly commanded God’s people to have honest scales (Leviticus 19:35-36 and Deuteronomy 25:13-16).
For us we are to be above reproach when it comes to our worldly dealings. We should even consider going the second mile on some jobs etc. Our work should be part of our witness.
I like a story Jon Courson shares on this passage. (Something just for a laugh):
“Everyday, the farmer delivered a pound of butter to the baker. But the baker began to notice that the pound of butter was becoming smaller and smaller and smaller. “My goodness,” he thought, “I’m being systematically cheated.” So he reported it to the town constable.
The baker and the constable went to the famer’s farm, where the farmer was accused of short-changing the baker.
“But the butter I give him weighs one pound”, the famer insisted.
“What are you using for a weight?” the constable asked.
“The baker’s one-pound loaf of bread,” the farmer replied.
Don’t forget the words Jesus shared: “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”