Topical Bible: Justice: To be Done in Buying and Selling

◄ Justice: To be Done in Buying and Selling ►

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Justice in buying and selling is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting God's desire for fairness, honesty, and integrity in all economic transactions. The Scriptures provide clear guidance on how individuals should conduct business, emphasizing the importance of just measures and ethical practices.

Biblical Principles of Justice in Commerce

1. Honest Weights and Measures: The Bible explicitly commands the use of honest weights and measures in trade. This principle is foundational to ensuring fairness in economic transactions. In Leviticus 19:35-36 , it is written, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This command underscores the importance of integrity and transparency in business dealings.

2. Condemnation of Fraud and Deceit: The Scriptures strongly condemn fraudulent practices and deceit in commerce. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse highlights God's abhorrence of deceitful practices and His pleasure in honesty and fairness.

3. Fair Treatment of Others: Justice in buying and selling extends to the fair treatment of all parties involved. In Deuteronomy 25:13-16 , the Israelites are instructed, "You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light. You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small. You must maintain accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. For everyone who behaves dishonestly in regard to these things is detestable to the LORD your God." This passage emphasizes the importance of consistency and fairness in all transactions.

4. Love and Neighborly Conduct: The principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself is central to the biblical understanding of justice in commerce. In Matthew 7:12 , Jesus teaches, "In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets." This Golden Rule serves as a guiding principle for ethical behavior in all aspects of life, including business.

5. Consequences of Injustice: The Bible warns of the consequences of unjust practices in buying and selling. In Micah 6:10-11 , the prophet declares, "Am I still to forget, O wicked house, your ill-gotten treasures and the short ephah, which is accursed? Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales and with a bag of false weights?" This passage serves as a warning that God will not overlook injustice and that there are spiritual and societal repercussions for dishonest practices.

Examples of Justice in Biblical Narratives

1. Abraham's Purchase of the Cave of Machpelah: In Genesis 23, Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite is an example of a fair and transparent transaction. Abraham insists on paying the full price for the land, demonstrating his commitment to justice and integrity in business dealings.

2. Jesus and the Money Changers: In the New Testament, Jesus' cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) is a powerful demonstration of His zeal for justice. He overturns the tables of the money changers, condemning their exploitation and corruption, and declares, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'" This act underscores the importance of righteousness and fairness in all areas of life, including commerce.

The biblical call for justice in buying and selling is a timeless principle that continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about ethics in business. The Scriptures provide a clear framework for conducting transactions with integrity, ensuring that all parties are treated fairly and with respect.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 19:36
Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall you have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 25:15
But you shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shall you have: that your days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether it is Lawful to Sell a Thing for More than Its Worth?
... unlawful if that which honesty demands be done by mutual ... and from this point of view,
buying and selling ... is no longer the equality of justice: and consequently ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 15.htm

Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils.
... There is a buying and a selling, a changing, exchanging, and ... market at Rome, except
that there things are done with some reason and justice, whilst here ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/ii of the matters to.htm

Whether There is a Different Matter for Both Kinds of Justice?
... leave his master: which things can also be done openly ... A voluntary transfer belongs
to justice in so far as ... for another thing, as happens in selling and buying. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is a different.htm

Matt. xxiii. 14
... rulers judge not according to the rule of justice, and every ... and hell are the things
that are done; but God ... to the gifts of God, and as though buying and selling ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiii matt xxiii 14.htm

Whether, in Trading, it is Lawful to Sell a Thing at a Higher ...
... Objection 2: Further, it is contrary to justice to sell goods at a ... Therefore this
cannot be done without sin. ... In this sense neither buying nor selling is unjust ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in trading it is.htm

An Account of the General Conference of 1796
... in any court or courts, before any judge or judges, justice or justices ... its charter;
and hence for the good it has done we have ... "Drunkenness, buying or selling ...
/.../chapter 2 an account of.htm

Whether the Moral virtues Differ in Point of the Various Objects ...
... the objects of those operations: for the buying and selling ... a horse belong to the
one same virtue of justice. ... that are done for mere pleasure, and which do not ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the moral virtues differ.htm

An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church ...
... 5. Extirpate buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty laid upon them
by ... If there be a murmur or complaint that justice is not done, the person ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... "But many are not convinced that buying or selling ... is an end of all execution of
justice, and all ... reformation, what real good has been done?" Unspeakable good ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... consideration, for instance, by selling and buying, by letting ... that when this had
been done they should ... they may decide doubtful points in matters of justice. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm