January 27

Leviticus 19:11,13
“Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another... Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning”— Leviticus 19:11,1311Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. (Leviticus 19:11)
13Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (Leviticus 19:13).
ABSOLUTE integrity as between man and man was inculcated by God’s holy law. No double-dealing, no deceitful practices of any kind were permitted. Under the law, employers were commanded to pay honest wages to their employees and to see that they received what was owing as soon as it was due. There was to be no overreaching or attempting to profit themselves by holding back what their workers had rightfully earned.
It is hard for some people to understand how the believer can be said to be “not under law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:1414For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)), and yet that “the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” A simple illustration may help. The law of the land, as well as the law of God given at Sinai, forbids stealing. Here is an upright citizen who is philanthropically minded and who, therefore, finds pleasure in benefiting his fellows, He does not refrain from theft merely because the law forbids it, but because he delights in the very opposite. This is the proper Christian attitude. Though not under law, he is not lawless, but lives in glad subjection to the law of love.
I thank Thee, Lord, that I may live
A simple life of childlike trust;
Believe, obey, receive, and give,
Because I may—not that I must.
Nor would I bow because I must.
But pleased to yield, glad to obey,
In loving, fearless, constant trait,
I’d serve, and sing because I may.