How can we ensure fairness and justice in our daily interactions? Job’s Personal Audit of Fairness “if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants” (Job 31:39) Job looks back over his business dealings and asks, in effect, “Did I ever take advantage of anyone?” His conscience must stay clear before God. That same spirit guides us today. Core Principles Drawn from Job 31:39 • Pay what we owe, when we owe it. • Never profit by crushing another person’s spirit. • Recognize that God witnesses every transaction, public or private. Scriptural Reinforcements • Leviticus 19:13 — “You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold wages overnight.” • Proverbs 11:1 — “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.” • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” • Luke 6:31 — “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” • Colossians 4:1 — “Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” • James 5:4 — “Look, the wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you.” • Ephesians 4:25 — “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.” Daily Practices that Guard Fairness 1. Honest Money • Keep meticulous records. • Pay promptly; accept payment only for honest work. 2. Honest Words • Speak truth without spin or exaggeration. • Refuse gossip that harms a person’s reputation. 3. Impartial Treatment • Evaluate people on character and effort, not status or background. • Give credit where it is due; share opportunities, not just tasks. 4. Compassion in Authority • If you supervise others, create fair schedules, livable wages, and a voice for concerns. • Remember Colossians 4:1—your authority is borrowed from God. 5. Accountability Systems • Invite open feedback: are my practices burdening anyone? • Partner with another believer for regular review of finances and relationships. 6. Generous Margin • Leviticus 19:9–10 models leaving gleanings for the poor. Build margin—time, money, energy—so you can respond to needs without resentment. Why It Matters • Fair dealings honor God, reflecting His just character. • They protect our testimony—people see what Christ’s rule looks like. • They safeguard our conscience, freeing us for joyful service. Living Job 31:39 Today Examine each interaction—business, family, church, community—and ask: “Would I still do this if the Lord stood beside me with an open ledger?” When the answer is yes, fairness and justice have found their way from Scripture into real life. |
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