In The Hill there is a minor running joke following on from when I gave a mini speech to our 5-a-side "Catalyst Football team" a few years ago. It was about the importance of honesty when playing: If it's not our ball, don't cry out that it is etc. I am sure you get the idea.
I now play footy occasionally on a Monday night. I can't recall the details but apparently quite recently I contradicted my own teaching on this issue! Now in my defence I am not sure I did, but then again the heart is deceitful, so let's say that it did happen 😉
In that moment a team-mate was quick to lovingly and humorously remind me of my Catalyst "preach". This of course encouraged me (I am not sure that was his intention!!), because he remembered my teaching several years later. Any preacher will tell you that is worth something!
The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. Proverbs 11v1 (NLT)
Here is the point from Verse 1. Fairness, honesty and justice matters in the market place, on the football pitch and in every aspect of our daily lives. When we live consistently in all of life it delights the Lord.
It matters when we are short-changed, asked a challenging question, offered a VAT incentive etc. Again, I am sure you get the idea.
Proverbs 11 provides ample evidence that there are several character traits that delight God 24/7.
- Humility
- Integrity
- Righteousness
- Honesty
- Knowledge of the gospel
- Joy bringer to a city
- Blessing bringer to a city
- Understanding
- Quiet when appropriate
- Trustworthy
- Listens to Counsel
- Careful
- Peaceful
- Kind
- Consistent
- Loyal
- Steadfast
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. Proverbs 11v1 (ESV)
