Day 3 — Honest Scales

“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.”

— Proverbs 11:1 (BSB)

In Bible times, people bought and sold things using scales. A merchant would put your grain on one side and a weight on the other. If the scale balanced, you got the right amount.

But some dishonest merchants cheated. They used weights that were a little too light when they sold things, so customers got less than they paid for. Or they used weights that were a little too heavy when they bought things, so they got more than they paid for. It was sneaky, and most customers never noticed.

But God noticed. “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD.” An abomination is something God hates. He cares about honesty even in small, sneaky ways that nobody else sees.

You probably don’t sell grain. But you face your own kind of “scales” every day:

• In games: changing the rules when you’re losing, moving your piece when no one’s looking, lying about whether the ball was out.
• In video games: using cheats in a competition, or lying about your score.
• In school: copying homework, looking at someone else’s test, or having someone else do your project.
• In sports: faking a foul, or lying to the ref.
• With money: keeping extra change a cashier gave you by mistake.

Cheating might help you win in the moment. But it’s like using dishonest scales. And it’s not really winning. A victory you cheated to get isn’t a real victory.

Look at the second half of the verse: “an accurate weight is His delight.” God delights in honesty. When you play fair, tell the truth about your score, do your own work and give back the extra change, God is glad.

And here’s something else: honest guys earn trust. Friends want to play with someone who plays fair. Teachers trust students who do their own work. Coaches want players who are honest.

Think about it: Where are you most tempted to cheat, even in small ways? Why do you think God cares so much about little bits of dishonesty?

Try this: Play a game today with total honesty, even if you lose. Notice how it feels to win or lose fairly.

Dear God, I want to be honest, even in small things nobody sees. Help me play fair, do my own work and tell the truth. Thank You that You delight in honesty. In Jesus’ name, Amen.