The book of Leviticus sees holiness expressed not only in terms of ritual and sacrifice, but also in terms of simply doing the right thing. This chapter(Leviticus 19) begins with a call to holiness and ends with telling people to make sure their scales are accurate!

Stealing can be subtle. Just tip the scales in your favor; shave a penny or two off a worker’s pay; add some extras to the bill, make the packaging a bit fatter; or make the filling a bit thinner.

The Bible condemns dishonest measures (Proverbs 20.23; Hosea 12.7,8; Amos 8.5; Micah 6.10,11). It’s cheating; it’s wrong. Sadly, the poor suffer most from dishonest practices since they cannot afford to fight these injustices in court.

Fair trade means trading fairly with people. It means that business ethics should be ethical. It means everyone working according to the same set of measurements.

Reflect

When, if ever, have you been the victim of “dishonest” scales? What happened as a result? The priests were supposed to check that the scales were accurate (Exodus 30.13,24). What does that say about the role the church can play in seeing that fairness is done?

If you work in an office, what is the mission statement of your business? If you are in a position to do so, how do you ensure that your business practices are ethical? Even if you’re not a manager, how can you lead by example?

Pray:

Lord, set a guard over my heart and mind. Make me ever watchful of the way I treat others.

Next: Day 28 of 40.

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The Bible depicts wisdom as something to be valued, cherished, and sought after. People are to search for it and collect it. Learning is life-long. But this is not some abstract knowledge. Wisdom is practical.

The Greek word translated as “wisdom” basically means “skill.” It describes the skill of the craftsman in the tabernacle (Exodus 31.6) or the judicial abilities of kings (1 Kings 3.28). It is knowledge and learning and craft—the stuff that helps people live to their full potential—“life skills” as we might say today.

Wisdom is also moral. It gives you the ability to make wise choices, to discern what is right. It helps you understand the meaning, spot the patterns in the swirl of events around you.

All these things show why human beings need to learn. It’s not just learning for learning’s sake; it’s helping people to live, giving them choices (and helping them to choose). To deny people an education is to starve them of wisdom. They cannot grow the skills they need; they cannot learn a trade or craft; they do not have the wisdom they need to find the way out. They really do have to learn the hard way.

Read Proverbs 1:1-7.

Reflect

Why is wisdom valuable? What are the lessons you’ve learned that aided your growth in wisdom? How do you show that youvalue wisdom?

How will you aid someone in his or her search for wisdom and knowledge? Pray for opportunities to share your wisdom and resources with others. For example, you might take a short-term missions trip and teach a class in a school.

Pray:

Lord, help me learn from past mistakes so I can be a teacher of the future.

Next: Day 26 of 40.

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