How does Proverbs 11:26 encourage fair business practices in our daily lives? The Verse in View “People will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.” (Proverbs 11:26) Immediate Message: Generosity versus Hoarding • Hoarding necessities invites public resentment (“People will curse …”). • Making goods available at a fair price draws divine and human favor (“blessing will crown …”). • The verse treats business dealings as moral actions subject to God’s judgment, not merely economic choices. Connecting the Verse to Fair Business Practices Today • Do not create artificial scarcity—refuse to withhold products or services simply to inflate prices. • Offer goods at reasonable, justifiable margins that cover costs and provide fair profit without exploiting need. • Make reliability a hallmark: keep shelves stocked, fulfill orders promptly, communicate transparently. • Recognize that a reputation for fairness becomes a “crown” bringing repeat customers, goodwill, and the Lord’s blessing. Practical Scenarios • A grocer resists raising prices during a storm scare; neighbors remember and return long-term. • A landlord refuses to gouge rent in a tight market, trusting God’s provision rather than panic profits. • A manufacturer shares raw-material savings with clients instead of pocketing the entire windfall. • An online seller discloses actual shipping costs rather than marking them up covertly. Supporting Scriptures • Leviticus 19:35-36 — “You shall not use dishonest standards … you shall have honest scales.” • Deuteronomy 25:13-15 — “You must not have two differing weights … a full and honest weight you shall have.” • Proverbs 22:16 — “Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself … leads only to poverty.” • James 5:4 — “The wages you failed to pay … are crying out against you.” • Luke 6:38 — “Give, and it will be given to you.” Heart Attitudes Behind Fair Commerce • Trust: God, not manipulation, secures prosperity (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Neighbor-love: seeing clients and employees as people to serve, not numbers to exploit (Matthew 22:39). • Stewardship: managing resources for God’s glory, not selfish gain (1 Corinthians 4:2). • Integrity: consistency between faith and financial dealings (Proverbs 10:9). Takeaway Principles for the Workplace • Put people over profit; profit will follow. • Price fairly, communicate openly, deliver dependably. • Combat scarcity by releasing resources when others hold back. • Expect God’s favor when your ledgers match His standards. |
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