“TenderHearted”
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
ONLY “GOD IS LOVE” – NOT US (1 JOHN 4:8, 16). THE BIBLE NEVER SAID THAT GOD’S PEOPLE (US) ARE LOVE BUT ONLY THAT HE IS LOVE. AND SO WE, HIS CHILDREN, ARE COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON GOD WHO “IS LOVE,” THROUGH AN ABIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, TO RECEIVE HIS LOVE. HE WHO “IS LOVE” THEREBY SPREADS HIS LOVE ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST (ROMANS 5:5; 1 JOHN 4:7-8, 16-18).
We love with HIS love – the love of our God who first loved us!
“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Jesus Christ is “NOT Willing that ANY Should Perish” – Are You willing that some should perish? (2 Peter 3:9; Luke 15)
God will forgive “ALL sins” except 1:
“Verily I say unto you, ALL sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” Mark 3:28-29
As we walk with Christ, we are learning to be “tenderhearted” as opposed to hard-hearted (Ephesians 4:32).
WHEN TRIALS ARISE by someone doing us wrong (even by someone who claims to be a Christian), we must be prayerful (full of prayer) and ask God for His wisdom in that situation, as He told us to do (James 1:5). It’s easy to simply react, isn’t it? But is that glorifying our LORD?
We at times come under attack by someone who is blatantly doing us wrong (sin) and yet, we must learn that God alone is their Judge. He’s also our Judge as we have all fallen short of His glory (Romans 3). Do we have the right to cast a stone? (John 8:1-11) This is a lesson I am learning alongside of each member of Christ’s body. Here are some passages that will minister our LORD’s wisdom to our hearts:
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21
Friend, are you angry with sinners, with someone, anyone, someone who hurt you? Notice how God promises that those who’ve done wrong, will be repaid – they will reap what they sowed. No one escapes the the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8).
“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19
DEAR SONS OF THUNDER OF WHICH I AM CHIEF (UGH)…. “I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD” …. Reaping what is sown is absolute. It WILL happen (Galatians 6:7-8). Not one escapes the divinely instituted law of sowing and reaping. Those who do evil are digging their own pit (Psalms 7, 9; 35, 37, 73, etc.). The LORD Almighty promised that HE IS GOING TO REPAY THE WICKED. He just doesn’t want us to try to do it, especially since we ourselves are in utter need of His mercy also (James 1:20).
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD.” Romans 12:19
In their early days with our LORD, His twelve tended toward judgment instead of mercy. Memorize this:
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
“Harboring unforgiveness against someone else is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” unknown
When it begins to sink into our hearts how desperately in need of and dependent we ourselves are, on the mercy of God, we’ll begin to drop the stones and begin to stoop …. to stoop down and help those who have fallen (John 8:1-12). Isn’t that why Jesus came? Let us never forget what manner of wicked men we ourselves are outside of Christ (Romans 7:18, 24).
When sinful men rejected Christ, rejected His will, His disciples sought Him to bring down judgment upon them.
“And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:54-56
Where would you and I be if God had not had mercy, patience with our own wicked souls?
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10
“If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalms 130:3
“who shall be able to stand?”
“For the great day of his wrath is come; and WHO shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:17
Only those truly in Christ shall be left standing. They built the foundation of their lives in Him – by obeying Him. Now read Matthew 7:19-29.
May God bless us today to announce aloud our own great need for the Savior…. who came to pay the full price for the wicked sinners of this world of whom I am chief…. in utter need of the blessings, the profound benefits of our LORD Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice. He’s Wonderful and Beautiful.
Here’s why we are His, we have a relationship with the LORD, and why we are not in hell.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.” Ephesians 2:1-4
The LORD has been mercifully with.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
Would this be a good moment to pause, to look up to Heaven, and to thank God for creating, finding you in your sin, and saving you from your sins into His glorious kingdom?
“Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:7
WE DON’T HAVE TO WORRY – GOD IS GONNA GET EM … IN THE MEANTIME, HE MAY CRUCIFY OUR DESIRE TO SEE EVIL COME UPON THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THEMSELVES OUR ENEMIES. WHILE DYING FOR OUR SINS ON THE CROSS, JESUS SAID: “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” (LUKE 23:34) CHECK THIS OUT SAINTS AND PLEASE SHARE FOR THE EDIFICATION AND LEARNING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST – VENGEANCE IS MINE! NOT YOURS!
Memorizing this verse has greatly blessed and helped this mercy-dependent soul: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (go for it!)
BEWARE OF THE EVIL TEMPTATION TO DO YOUR OWN BIDDING BY AVENGING YOURSELF. REMEMBER THAT NOT ONE SOUL WILL ESCAPE THE JUDGMENT OF OUR MAKER WHO ALONE IS THE JUDGE OF OUR ETERNAL SOULS. BE NOT DECEIVED INTO THINKING THAT THOSE WHO DO YOU WRONG WILL ESCAPE ONE IOTA OF JUDGMENT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. READ PSALMS AND SEE WHAT DAVID ENDURED AND SAID ABOUT HIS ENEMIES. THAT’S AN EDUCATION!
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20
BEWARE: THOSE WHO DRAG UP THE PAST, CONFESSED, ALREADY FORGIVEN SINS OF OTHERS ARE THE DEVIL’S CHILDREN AS MUCH AS ANYONE COULD BE. DON’T YOU DARE JOIN IN WITH THEM OR GOD WILL HOLD ALL OF YOUR PAST SINS AGAINST YOU.
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11-12
Do you think our heavenly Father can bring us to the place of Christ-likeness that we show mercy to those who wound and attack us?
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
God will not forgive the sins of those who refuse to forgive all others – from their heart (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26, etc.). Unforgiveness is non-negotiably, irrefutably, soul damning sin.
Are we not incentivized here to show mercy and not judgment and condemnation? We all have spiritual boomerangs circling back upon us. Are they waves of mercy or condemnation? – depends on what we have released toward others in our attitudes and words and actions, right? Memorize James 2:13
Undiluted divine judgment comes upon the head of those who “shew(ed) no mercy.” So, conversely we know that mercy comes on those who show mercy to others. For myself, when I began to cease reacting in judgment to others who attack me, the LORD began to show His mercy to me when I stumbled. Try it!
WHEN YOU BEGIN TO SHOW MERCY TO OTHERS AS GOD HAS SHOWN TO YOU, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WILL IMMEDIATELY BE MORE IN ORDER WITH THE LORD. LET HIM BE THE JUDGE AS HE ALONE IS QUALIFIED. YOU AND I AREN’T.
GOD is “not willing that ANY should perish” – WHAT about you? (2 Peter 3:9)
If we need His mercy – and we sure do – we are required of Him to show mercy on others.
“What is the justification that God will hold ‘all your past sins against you’? Did Christ die for my sins? If so, how can God bring them back up against me for any reason? Was God not satisfied with the life and death of His Son? If not, by what power was He raised from the dead?” Dallas Eaton
When the LORD truly gets a hold of our lives, perhaps we will begin saying with Jesus and Stephen (the first martyr for Christ) “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Stephen’s Example
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60
BY THIS LANGUAGE “HE FELL ASLEEP,” PERHAPS WE LEARN THAT GOD SPARED STEPHEN THE PAIN AND JUST TOOK HIM TO HEAVEN. PERHAPS THIS WAS DUE TO THE MERCY STEPHEN SHOWED HIS MURDERERS! SELAH!
If you still struggle with unrighteous anger, then there is a trigger point there that can perhaps be disarmed. Perhaps beginning with prayerfully and verbally speaking out that you “release the expectation of perfection from any and every other human being, knowing that we are fallen and at times, including ourselves, we don’t do what is right in God’s eyes.”
If we are grudging against even one of God’s children, are we ready to meet Christ?
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9
Do No Harm
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10
The word “harmless” (contrasted with harm-full) appears 3 times in God’s Word:
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and HARMLESS as doves.” Matthew 10:16
“That ye may be blameless and HARMLESS, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” Philippians 2:15
“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, HARMLESS, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” Hebrews 7:26
How Do You Remember Peter?
Here’s a case in point: Do you remember the apostle Peter for his denial of Christ or for his preaching and leading 3,000 then 5,000 souls to Christ after Pentecost? I would think that most of us remember the way God used this frail man to lead 8,000 souls to Christ just like that! Wow! That was only the beginning. But wait, Peter then assimilated with judaizers and Paul had to rebuke him right? (Galatians 2) Yes. Now have you personally walked perfectly with Christ – uninterrupted denial of self by taking up the cross daily – or have you been intermittent at times like Peter?
Do you see the point? In the minds of the righteous, Peter is remembered for what God used him to do and not for his failings. David, the man after God’s own heart, is primarily remembered for the righteousness he walked in with our LORD and how he sought the LORD relentlessly (Acts 13:22). So, in light of this, how should we view others? Should we black ball them for a sin they committed? Is that how you want people to remember your life? – for the sins you committed? What did Jesus teach us in the golden rule? (Matthew 7:12)
If God can use Peter, and Moses, and David AFTER they fell, who then can’t He use if they return to Him in repentance? Has the LORD changed? No! – “I am the LORD; I change not.” (Malachi 3:6)
NOW, GET YOUR HANDS AND HEART UP HIGH TO THE LORD FOR THE GREAT MERCY HE HAS SHOWN YOUR WRETCHED SOUL! THANK HIM, THANK HIM, THANK HIM!!!!
Why then are some among us so very merciful and understanding of their own failures and sins and so very merci-LESS in their attitudes and actions towards others when they stumble?
Do you personally have the ongoing need for God’s mercy? If so (and it’s obvious that you do), then it’s time to begin showing sheer mercy as God has shown you through Christ – that is, on His perfect merit! Mercy is something you and I do not deserve and yet, on the basis of the perfection of Christ, God grants it to those whom He saves and who abide/remain in intimate relationship with Him (Romans 4:4-8).
“Now to him that worketh (tries to earn his salvation) is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:4-8
Maintaining Unity Among Christ’s Brethren
Now, especially concerning the body of Christ, I want you to write the following two Scripture verses on index cards with references (KJV) and begin to read and meditate upon and memorize them:
“Endeavouring (working hard) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
We should memorize Ephesians 4:32 and tell every Christian we know to do the same.
JESUS CONDEMNS HYPOCRITICAL JUDGMENT … NOT ALL JUDGMENT (JOHN 7:24) BUT RATHER HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING OF ANOTHER WHEN OUR OWN HEARTS ARE NOT REPENTANT, RIGHTLY JUDGED, CORRECTED, AND CLEANSED (MATTHEW 7:1-5).
PASS THIS ON TO ANOTHER
Are you actively involved with helping others hear God’s Word which never returns to Him void? (Isaiah 55:11)
Check out and order your supply of soul winning Gospel tracts here | The Use of Gospel Tract by R.A. Torrey | The Persistence of One Child | Evangelism | Love Mercy [podcast]
If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here okay: Born Again: What is It?
FEEDBACK:
“Very good word. I needed to read this! Sometimes it is really hard to want good for those who have hurt us, we are commanded to love one another. Thanks for sharing.” Heidi D.
Read Psalms 37 and 73.
“I will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice”: What does this really Mean? [podcast]
Abiding
The Chosen are being Called and Prepared to “Go” [podcast]
Jesus didn’t say “stay.”
Jesus commanded us to “Go” ( Matthew 28:18-20).
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“They Desire a Better Country”
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country , and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” Genesis 12:1
“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange COUNTRY, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:” Hebrews 11:9
“For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a COUNTRY.” Hebrews 11:14
“And truly, if they had been mindful of that COUNTRY from whence they came out, they might have had the opportunity to have returned.” Hebrews 11:15
“But now they desire a better COUNTRY, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16
Billions lie unreached.
” Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Psalms 2:8
BE WARNED….
That if you dare ask God to prepare and use you, the adventure of serving as you are accomplishing His Great Commission is going to begin and gain steadily increasing traction and fruitfulness! Read John 15:1-16.
It all begins with a simple, sincere prayer, a request to God to use you — and therefore begin now to prepare you.
“If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and met for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
The LORD can use us to the degree we’ve sought Him for and submitted to His strippings, purgings, His preparation.
“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
God has a plan to remove that which does not belong in you and to establish what does.
- “to root out” (destructive)
- “to pull down” (destructive)
- “to destroy” (destructive)
- “to throw down” (destructive)
- “to build” (constructive)
- “to plant” (constructive)
When Jesus cleansed the temple, after rooting out the evil, He then installed the purity, prayer, praise, and power (Matthew 21; John 2).
God has His order. One thing comes before the other.
When you Go, that’s when you are going to Know!
“Christianity is not American and America does not define Christianity! We need to stop trying to merge the two together. Jesus died for people all over this world, and Christianity existed long before America was even a thought. I am a Christian who physically resides in the USA, but this world is not my home. I long for an eternal kingdom.” Gloria Sykes
When you obey Christ and “Go” there will be a harvest of souls — some you will see and many you will not.
” They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and forth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him .” Psalms 126:5-6
Thanking God and you for pausing to lift up the blessed saved souls to Jesus in PA. From Tom and Karen Cochran:
“God has opened up a door for us to minister in a nursing home. People in there are hungry. They have been stripped of their pride! They need help just to do everyday things we take for granted. Very few have family or friends who visit. All their material possessions are pretty much gone, and once put in a home they know this is probably where they will die. They have no hope. And that is why they are hungry! Jesus gives them hope! We have seen many completely changed by the gospel and power of Christ! Jesus saved one-hundred- and-five-year-old woman, and after she prayed she began to sing ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so’!”
People are eternal. Are you investing in people, eternal souls?
Are you personally participating in, contributing your time, talents, and treasures into the Great Commission Jesus gave us? See the end of Matthew and Mark.
MESSAGE ON AMERICA:
“Lately I have been seeing many taking to the streets to preach the gospel and it is shocking to see the response of Americans. In their pride and arrogance they keep right on walking and don’t even look up. Too busy in their comfortable lives. Headed for the path of destruction and they could care less.”
REPLY:
Seems this is how America could, should be viewed: “And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:14-15).
Who are the people who are going to be with Jesus?
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are CALLED, and CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.” Revelation 17:14
Luke 9:57-62
” And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home in my house .
Of this passage at the end of Luke 9, one writer notes the following:
“9:61 The third would-be disciple resembled the first in that he volunteered to follow Christ. He was like the second in that he uttered the contradiction, “Lord…me first.” He wanted first to say goodbye to his family. In itself, the request was reasonable and proper, but even the common civilities of life are wrong if they are placed ahead of prompt and complete obedience.
9:62 Jesus told him that once he put his hand to the plow of discipleship, he must not look back; otherwise he was not fit for the kingdom of God. Christ’s followers are not made of half-hearted stuff or dreamy sentimentality. No considerations of family or friends, although lawful in themselves, must be allowed to turn them aside from utter and complete abandonment to Him. ….
And so we have three cardinal hindrances to discipleship illustrated in the experience of these men:
1. Material comforts.
2. A job or an occupation.
3. Family and friends.
Christ must reign in the heart without a rival. All other loves and all other loyalties must be secondary.”
Matthew 9:35-38
The 3 Ways God’s People Participate in Christ’s Great Commission
1. Praying for Christ’s laborers (Matthew 9:35-38).
2. Witnessing, sowing and communicating the Word (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 8:11).
3. Supporting, supplying those of God’s people who are doing His Great Commission, preaching the Word (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Philippians 2:25; 4:16-20).
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
PRAYER: LORD, sanctify my life. This is YOUR life. Put me exactly where you want me on Your planet. Use this life dear LORD. In Jesus’ name.
Prepared to be Used of God | Great Commission
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Articles
“A Just Weight is His Delight” and Gouging is Sin
Gouging is Ungodly – and God is Watching, Sees All, and will Repay Accordingly
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8
Scripture informs us of the LORD that “true and righteous are thy judgments” and God requires that those who know Him will deal justly – in just weights and measures (Revelation 16:7).
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
Doing justly before God would mean dealing equitably with men. When you read the following passage, keep justice, greed, and fearing God in mind:
“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.” Proverbs 11:1-8
Wicked unrepentant people forge ahead in their sin, continuing to live separated from God, vainly believing that because He hasn’t yet judged them that He won’t in the future. Justice is a death march to the irrevocable fire of eternal hell.
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11
So when you go to a store, who has decided the pricing on each item? you or them? obviously when 2 individuals negotiate for the sale of an item between themselves, they come to an agreement on the price. the fact that a person in a situation like this, can pay whatever they wish for something if it has value to them, in no way negates just weights and measures as begins with God Himself …. There are standards to be measured against in determining the value of something. you can’t blank out what we find originating in Scripture. So, have you ever heard of real estate appraisal? If so, what’s this field of work for? What does it measure? What’s its purpose?
Charging more than the actual value is sin unless the buyer requests to pay more for it perhaps in order to obtain the item before someone else does.
Gouging arises from wicked hearts who greedily covet the things of this fleeting world. Greed is not a virtue, it’s a soul damning sin.
“Labour not to be rich (the sin of greed): cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. … 17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” Proverbs 23:4-7, 17
The utmost fear and wisdom of God must be observed from His Word when setting prices for products and services. Seems best to under price a bit rather than over price, gouge. In the flesh, is it not easy to get greedy when setting prices for the product and/or services your company offers? Yet what is the long term affect on your community, your clients?
Think about those people you’ve done business with who price fairly and how that made you feel about them and how it affected your repeat business with them. Seems to me that those who fairly price their product/services are exponentially more likely to be established in a community with good reputation and honor.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1
In every economy there are standards of measure and appropriate pricing or prices set accordingly…. The further a people distance themselves from God, from the instruction of His Word, the deeper in rebellion that nation plunges, the more skewed are the weights and measures. John Quincy was instrumental in laying the foundation for just weights and balances in America.
“John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, liked to measure things – the width of a river, the distance between two points – by counting his steps…. When Adams became Secretary of State in 1817, his fascination with measurements coincided with the desire of Congress to establish a uniform standard for weights and measures across the United States. After three-and-a-half years of obsessive work (which frustrated his wife, Louisa), John Quincy Adams produced his Report Upon Weights and Measures. He thought it would be his most important literary accomplishment.
Fixing the Standard of Weights and Measures
The importance of everyone in the country using the same system of weights and measures was recognized by the founders of the United States. The Constitution gave Congress the power to ‘fix the Standard of Weights and Measures’ (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 5). However, there was no agreement as to which weights and measures should become the national standard. Each of the original thirteen states was using its own weights and measures, which differed from those used by other states. No Congressman wanted to be blamed for changing his constituents’ customary way of measuring things.
All of the early presidential messages to Congress included an appeal for legislation to establish a uniform system of weights and measures. In 1790, at the urging of George Washington, the House of Representatives asked Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to draw up a plan. Jefferson put forward two options: one a refinement of the existing English system of weights and measures; the other a new decimal system based on the foot. Jefferson’s report was transmitted by the House to the Senate, where a select committee concluded that, since Britain and France were each considering national standards of measure which could become a universal standard, it was not desirable, ‘at present, to introduce any alteration in the measures and weights which are now used in the United States.’ (2) In 1796, the House passed ‘An act directing certain experiments to be made to ascertain uniform standards of weights and measures for the United States,’ but the bill was never taken up by the Senate.”
Applying a higher or lower price for what something is actually worth is the definition of unjust weights and balances. Today we see the greed of men manifested when they overcharge or gouge their neighbor by charging more than what is just for a service or product.
Gouging is sin, it’s a form of not loving your neighbor, it’s taking advantage of your neighbor, your fellow man.
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:39
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10
A friend of mine told me: “Those in business today who gouge people by overcharging them do it because no one stands up and holds them accountable.” In other words, as long as they can get away with it, they will do it.
He is correct. As I think back, there one particular example that comes to mind of recent, where in my estimation, I was the victim of gouging, of unjust weights and balances.
$22 for a plate lunch, a to-go lunch which was not a large volume of food and no drink was included (which I personally never get anyway) and they didn’t even have empty cups or water available.
These gougers have all kinds of ways, sayings, they use to “justify” their charges, such as “it’s industry standard pricing,” or “standard price charged by everyone in our industry.” etc.
After being gouged, I contacted them, their leadership, and sought to reason. Neither budged and so I exposed them with one star reviews and an explanation as to why I viewed their charges as gouging, as an unjust weight and balance.
“Just balances, just weights… shall ye have.” Leviticus 19:36
“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” Proverbs 11:1
We usually quote the first part of this verse and apply it to spiritual balance, which is fitting and true. Yet the application of this statement involves charging our neighbor equitably for goods and services.
Isn’t it best to charge fairly and sleep well?
Stealing from others, gouging, unjustly greedily overcharging others, brings curses which includes not being able to sleep soundly. Listen to the wisdom of our God in Solomon:
“The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?” Ecclesiastes 5:12-16
Covetousness and greed run rampant among fallen men and yet greed and covetousness will reap the just reward of eternal damnation.
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7
“Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15
Overcharging another, gouging, is stealing. Any person who is perpetrating thievery on others, and this includes overcharging/gouging, is ungodly and cannot sleep well. Such is an unrepentant sinner. Is it really worth and unclean conscience? Is it worth spending eternity in hell? Though completely ignored by the professing apostate church world today, all sin must be cut off from our lives, must be crucified (Mark 9:43-49).
“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36-37
“Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:36
“A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.” Proverbs 16:11
“But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Deuteronomy 25:15
PRAYER: Father You are holy. Please forgive any greed in my heart. Please, from this moment forward, bring deep conviction of sin to my conscience LORD. Break me to the core of my being and grant that all stony places in my heart be replaced with an heart of flesh. Please unite my heart to fear Thy name dear LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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When we die downward and are dead and buried with Christ, we can be assured that God is going to raise us upward.
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11
Romans 6:1-14
“1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed (brought to naught, nullified), that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
The Crucified Life | Travis Bryan III
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