Two Great Transgressions

Friends, whatever you do, please do not be guilty of these two sins: A false balance, and a lethargic, unproductive spirit. Why? Well, for starters, God hates both of them (Prov. 11:1; Mat. 25:26). If you need another good reason, here it is: THE WHOLE WORLD IS GUILTY OF THESE ABOMINATIONS!! Everywhere I go, and in everything I do, all I see is a false balance and people who absolutely do not care about anything they are doing that pertains to work. And these two wicked works go hand in hand in everything that man sets his hand to. Raise the prices, decrease the quantity AND the quality of a product, and just subtly let the the consumer know that he can shove it, as it is said. That is the American way. That is the way of man. And paying for a service? Expect to pay high, and have someone who either does not know what they are doing, or does not care about what they are doing; or maybe if you’re lucky, both, to do the ‘service,’ and be sure to take it lying down. Oh yeah, there is also 'customer service,’ which usually is something that is in name only. These are things that have just continued to amaze me for quite a few years now. But dear God, let not these things be named once among us who are called to glorify the name of Jesus. I’ve seen it in every nook and cranny of society, on every level of business, and it is increasingly difficult to find anything anywhere that is otherwise. The same love of money that inspires the monetary rape of society in general, is also the underlying motivation for the lethargic, totally uncaring attitude of people in general in their work, whatever that work may be.

What is it? This nation is one HUGE, out of control, spoiled brat, that’s what! Everyone has had too much for too long, and it has only cultivated an attitude of ‘I deserve,’ and ‘I’m mistreated,’ as far as eye can see, and as far as ear can hear. You will search far and wide to find someone who is enjoying their work, and showing others around them that they are glad to have a job, and an opportunity to be productive. God cited that Sodom was guilty of these very same sins before her destruction, when he said in Ezekiel: “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” (Ezek. 16:49). These sins, along with the perverse sexual sins of Sodom, are all that are mentioned in the Bible definitively in regard to the reason for the fall of Sodom (Jude 1:7). What does that tell you my friend? It tells me that the handwriting on the wall is very clear and easy to read, and everyone had better start reading it with an abundance of godly fear. And we should all take serious heed to the very wise proverb that says, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Prov. 27:12). Hide ourselves where, you may ask? DEEP IN THE LORD, THAT’S WHERE!! If we are dying out to sin daily, and renewing our souls and spirits in the holy Ghost, then the following applies: “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).

If we would embrace the hope of salvation with all of our hearts and souls and minds, we should cleave to those things which the scriptures very clearly map out for us, and which the Spirit of God leads us in: “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” (Deut. 25:15). We should love doing what is right to do, and be thrilled with the opportunity to deal justly with people in every avenue possible. Not only so, but it should be a genuine joy to give someone else the benefit of the doubt in a controversy, and be glad to let the other person come out on top. I think Jesus said some things like that at some point: “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again” (Lk. 6:30-34). The key to following the instructions of Jesus in these things is to do them gladly and with joy. If we try to follow what Jesus said with a begrudging heart, and without gladness, we have no reward for it. If you are not able to do these things as such, then pray through until you are able, for God’s Spirit can make you able. Otherwise Jesus wouldn’t have told us to do these things.

So what should be the attitude of the true follower of Jesus, in regard to work? “Servants [workers], obey in all things your masters [bosses] according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col. 3:22,23). And once again: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11). Peter added something very integral to this equation, regarding the humility that is in Christ for those who obey him: “Servants [workers], be subject to your masters [bosses] with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (I Pet. 2:18-20). In closing I would just like to leave an example to follow, and that is that every time I am on the receiving end of these wicked spirits and attitudes that are so prevalent in this wayward society and world, it truly makes me more determined to keep my spirit and attitude on the polar opposite end of that kind of godlessness. Thanks be to God for his blessed Spirit that gives us the nature to do it right, because Sodom was not the last people that will be destroyed for such wickedness. Amen.