Devotionals

Selling a Bicycle

by John Custer
04/26/21
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Selling a used bike on line for $350 seemed so simple.  Someone responded right away by promising to send a certified check by USPS and gave me a tracking number.  I was waiting at the mailbox when the mailman came with my letter.  The enclosed check was for far more than my selling price.  I immediately suspected, and later confirmed, that it was a scam. 

Being a business person, I was not caught, but I feel sorry for others who were.

Reading in Matthew 23:25 (NIV) just yesterday, Jesus denounced the Pharisees for hypocritical dishonesty, “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”  He was saying it is not enough to “look” honest, we are to “be” honest.

Zechariah 7:10 (NIV) states, “Do not plot evil against each other.”  Throughout the Old Testament the prophets continually warned against dishonesty.

When I compare Biblical teaching to our culture, I am confronted with all kinds of scams from applying for a drivers license to buying massaging oils.  It is so prevalent that we must be on guard constantly to avoid being cheated.

We also need to reflect on our own behavior.  Do we charge more for an item than it is worth?  Are we completely truthful about the product that we are representing?  Are we misleading our client in ANY way?

On a positive note, a waitress told me just yesterday that I could order their breakfast special and get what I requested for less money.  That’s the honesty that I am talking about.

Prayer: Lord help me to be totally honest in every aspect of my dealings with people.

Sharing Christ is my purpose and passion.