God-Glorifying Business Practices - Proverbs 20:23

Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, and a false scale is not good.  Proverbs 20:23

It is interesting to see how seriously God takes the business dealings of His people.  God desires for His people to be an example of His grace - and a testimony to things like honesty and integrity.  There is no better place to see this than in the business dealings of a wise and godly man.  Too often I run into the attitude that a man's business life is separate from his religious one.  The fact of Scripture is that Jesus is Lord - not just of our "church-time," but of every moment we are alive.  This means that the way that we act in business should also reflect God's glory to others.  

In the society of Solomon's time everything was measured with weights and scales.  Since it was primarily an agrarian society farmers and those who raised livestock would bring their goods to market where the crops and the animals would be weighed and valued.  Once the price was established - even the money they were paid would then be weighed out so that they could be paid.  When you realize this you can see why God speaks of differing weights and false scales.  This was what unscrupulous businessmen would do to cheat the system.  Their scales would have weights that were supposed to weight a certain amount, yet they would have two sets of weights - one accurate and another that would cheat their customers by being lighter than they should be.  Others would have false scales that would underweigh whatever was put on them.  

There are ways that men cheat today in business - and they are as varied as the ungodly men and women who use them.  Some use kickbacks to get business - while others "cook the books" to embezzle money from their bosses.  Some just steal from their business and hope no one catches them.  But God is not just interested in the big-time offenders, He hates even the little embezzlements that happen and are overlooked.  In fact God uses the word "abomination" to describe how He views dishonesty and a lack of integrity.  This word means something utterly loathesome and hated.  How does God feel about dishonesty and a lack of business integrity?  He despises it - hates it - and considers it loathesome.  Really can't be much more clear about something than that now can we?  
God's character is impeccable.  He is faithful and true.  He has never failed to fulfill any of His promises or judgments for that matter.  When He says something He means it - and you can bet your very life on it.  He is infinitely honest and throughout all eternity He has a perfect record of integrity.  Remember dear saints of God that God desires for us to reflect His glory to this world.  It was why we were created - to know Him and to reveal His character and love to the world that is all around us.  This is why the business world is a key place for a godly witness of integrity and honesty for Him.  Rather than think that God separates this part of our lives from our relationship with Him - we should see that this is a perfect place to know Him - and make Him known.  When I say this I am not referring to leading a Bible study or sitting down to share the gospel with co-workers - although these things are important in time.  But before you do these things it is so important to be a godly example in front of all your colleagues.  They need to see your faith as well as hear it.  And being a man of integrity and honesty - a man whose word is his bond - a man who can be trusted to care not just for his own interests, but also for those of his customers - being that kind of man is how to truly glorify God in the workplace.