It’s true – He’s a Holy God. But our God is not a rigid, hard, unfair, uncaring and ruthless Lord. Some might read the Book of Deuteronomy and shake their heads — some in dismay, others in disgust at all the rules and regulations laid down for God’s people back then. If you unfairly focused only on selective verses, you might close your Bible and say: “I can’t believe it! God was so nitpicky! Does all that stuff really matter?”
Just to give you a little perspective – remember that you have grown up in a highly regulated society. There are societal norms, processes and practises we take for granted today because that’s all we have ever known. For example, back then, there were no public health nurses to teach good personal hygiene or differentiate between sanitary and unsanitary. Inoculations and antibiotics had not been developed to prevent the spreading of infections and disease.
We have agencies that screen new products and monitor such things as food and workplace safety. We have Better Business Bureaus where shady business practices can be reported. Even online sales are publicly rated by customer feedback. The list of examples is a long one. Such protective structures that we take for granted did not exist in ancient society.
What we may think is irrelevant minutia and far too granular for us to bother reading is actually most helpful in providing us with a window into daily life in an ancient society and also insights into the very character of God. It is not irrelevant. So, make sure you look at the context and the setting of the verses.
But back to the point: don’t you love it when you are reading through a section of Deuteronomy and you bump into verses that give you an unanticipated glimpse into the beautiful heart of God? The faintest thought of God perhaps being nitpicky, hard, and uncaring quickly vanishes when you come across verses like this:
“If you lend anything to your neighbour, do not enter his house to pick up the item he is giving as security. You must wait outside while he goes in and brings it out to you. If your neighbor is poor and gives you his cloak as security for a loan, do not keep the cloak overnight. Return the cloak to its owner by sunset so he can stay warm through the night and bless you, and the LORD your God will count you as righteous. Deuteronomy 24:10-13 NLT
Because the poor man needs to borrow money, the lender might think he is in a position of power. Intimidation tactics would not be uncommon among the people of other nations. But God’s people are to behave differently.
So the instructions go like this: even though you are going to lend him your money, you must still respect him – you do not bulldoze your way into his house and take something of value and hold it until he pays you back. No – you stand outside and wait. If all he has is a piece of clothing for you to keep as a pledge, then make sure you give it back to him in the evenings so he can sleep in it.
Wow! Now, that is sensitivity! You might think that the Almighty God would not bother with such a minor detail —after all, who cares if a poor man who owes a lot of money has to shiver for a night? God does!!
Such business practices may not make sense in a dog-eat-dog world. “Well, he owes me money. I have every right to make sure I get every cent back plus interest, and to ensure I get my money back, I have every right to take a lien against his car!” Yes, business is business, but no, it isn’t. Transactions made by God’s people — by Christians, should be different from the cold, calculating, unscrupulous, win-at-any-cost business practices that characterize a godless society.
Christian conduct in business must always be characterized by integrity, sensitivity, compassion and care. Does it make sense to the corporate mindset? Probably not, despite what many say in their corporate creeds. And it probably didn’t make sense back then either – but notice the last part of the verse:
“…it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 24:13 NASB
The bottom line for a Christian in business is not the company’s Balance Sheet or the Profit and Loss Statement; the bottom line for a Christian is the Lord’s perspective on whether it was righteous or not. Was it an encounter or transaction marked by integrity, honesty, fairness and care for the other person or party? It may not make sense in a cut-throat world, but the critical question is: does it make sense to the Lord? Does it reflect something of His character?
These values should mark a Christian — not just in a formal business setting but in our personal deals as well — whether we are buying or selling at a yard sale, marketplace or elsewhere. Remember when we are dickering and haggling with someone over a price or trying to cut a deal — we still belong to Christ. That should be the framework within which we negotiate a deal. We should err on the side of accepting less or paying more to honour the One who became poor for our sakes. (2 Corinthians 8:9) Make sure it is a fair and righteous deal.
If you would like to think more deeply about buying and selling and other business transactions with which you may be involved, consider a few more verses: 1Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:9,10,17,23-24; 1Timothy 6:10, James 5:1-5; 1Peter 3:16. If other Bible verses come to your mind, share it with readers in the comment section below.
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Our daily prayer should be: “Lord, whatever I do today, may I do everything for Your Glory. May my inclinations and my actions be more aligned with the example Christ left for us. May I conduct myself with honesty and compassion towards others, even if it makes it more difficult for me. As Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae: “whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” May this be my motto today and every day. Lord, help me.”
Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you – in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.
