Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
The Wisdom of God
Verses for the Day:
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but
when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a
precious jewel.
14 It is worthless, it is worthless! says the buyer;
but when he goes his way, then he boasts (about his bargain).
15 There is gold, and a multitude of pearls, but the lips of knowledge are a
vase of preciousness (the most precious of all).
The book of
Proverbs has a lot to
say about trade and commerce policies. Verse 14
is a statement made by a crooked trader. This
buyer has convinced the person whom he is making a purchase from that his goods
are really worth a lot less than the seller is asking for them. So he makes the
transaction and then he goes and boasts to others about the great bargain he
got. The Lord is not happy with people who do this sort of dealing, as it is
another form of a false balance. It is cheating and is not a fair purchase.
Sad to say,
but I have heard of Christians boasting the same way about how they took
advantage of someone and got a great bargain and even attributing it to God's
favor. However, the Lord wants us to make just and fair deals and not one-sided
ones. We always pray when we sell something that it will bring a fair
market value. That way we are blessed to be able to sell it and the buyer
is blessed to be able to get it at a fair price. Now, if someone wants to
reduce the price as a kindness or help to someone, that is fine, but the
bargaining should begin from a fair starting price. The negotiators should be
honest with one another about the merchandise. Sometimes things are
offered at a bargain price due to overstocks, seconds, closeouts, etc. and this
is fine, as long as the merchandise is presented correctly. The thing the
Lord hates is deception involved in our dealings.
Some businessmen have two financial statements -- one, when they want their company to look
prosperous and one when they want their company to appear making less. When
borrowing money, they want to look prosperous and when paying taxes, they want
the bottom line to appear less. Certainly businessmen can take every tax break
that is available to them; however, juggling the books for appearance sake and
gain is another matter. God is calling businessmen at this hour to serve
Him and He is looking for those with the highest standard of integrity.
Verse 15 makes an important statement
in regard to integrity. It tells us that the value of gold, pearls or rubies is
not as valuable as one who speaks with the knowledge of God. The entire
book of Proverbs is a book about God's wisdom and how to apply it in this life.
One of the wisest things we can do is to control our tongues and speak with the
knowledge of the Bible. We can build with our mouths or we can tear down
with our mouths. A man who speaks with knowledge will build with his mouth
and speak gracious things. We have all been guilty at times of speaking things
that later we regret. The Word of God is compared not only to jewels, but
to silver as well. The scripture below lets us know that God's Words are
pure and that is why we need to study the Bible and speak His Words if we want
to be an overcomer.
Psalm 12:6: "The words of the LORD
are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."
Dear Heavenly Father, We desire to be
like You so we are asking You to help us to be honest in all of our dealings
with others. May we be concerned about the other party when we purchase
something and not just look on what is always advantageous to us. Help us
to overcome selfishness. Lord, help us to control the things that we speak and
speak things that are kind and edifying. Deliver us from anger and
resentment and let us keep a forgiving attitude when others wrong us.
Lord, we are trusting You to vindicate us when others take advantage of us.
Lord, we just do not want to be the ones guilty of taking advantage of another.
Help us to always be fair and honest in our dealings. I ask this in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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