Proverbs 11 and 12
Some may think that the Lord does not notice how men sell articles, or so small things as the weights of the scales, but these proverbs tell that to be dishonest in such matters is a great evil to the Lord, called “abomination:”
“A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight.” Pro. 11:1.
Another proverb speaks of “divers weights”, which meant not using a correct weight for all, but making short weight now and then, or to one they thought would not notice. There are many ways of being dishonest, and the Lord sees those ways. There is something else which we might think no one would need to think about:
“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast:” Prov. 12:10. So a man who wants to be right, will not overwork his horses or be cruel to animals. Another very great evil:
“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight.” Prov. 12:22.
Sometimes it may seem hard to answer questions truthfully, either for boys and girls or for older people, but let us remember those who speak the truth are it “delight” to the Lord.
There is one special kind of work to be done for the Lord: to tell others of Him, that they may be “won” to Him:
“He that winneth souls is wise.” Prov. 11:30.
If you read of the men who first heard that Jesus was “the Lamb of God,” the One to be offered for sin, you will read that one man, Andrew, went right away to tell his brother Peter, and brought him to Jesus. Andrew was “wise” to soul (John 1:41, 42).
You notice in the Proverbs a “wise” person believes wise words, and believes God; one called “foolish” does not believe or do the right way, and neglects or does not believe God.
Sometimes people have sorrow or trouble which causes the heart to be very, heavy, but “A good word maketh it glad.” Prov. 12:25. A boy or girl could speak such a word and cheer that one; the really “good” word is to tell them a verse from God’s Word.
What law did God give about weights? (Deut. 25:13-16).
Who “maketh a glad father” and who is “heaviness” (or sorrow) to his mother? (Prov. 10:1).
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” Prov. 10:22.
ML 02/16/1941