Pleasing God

For Wednesday, July 6, 2004
Proverbs 11:1

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is his delight.

God hates cheating; he delights in integrity. This is a good proverb to remember as we are tempted to cut corners on a job, to omit information on our taxes, to "get help" on a paper, or gain an advantage over a competitor. The end does not justify the means.

Besides the outright crooked people who cheat, many of use do the same and rationalize our actions, either justifying why cheating is needed this one time or denying that cheating is happening. "The government shouldn't be taxing me for this anyhow"; "If I fail this test in the class, which I shouldn't have to take anyhow, my future will be shot"; "Everyone in my field does the same; I won't be able to compete."

Such an attitude betrays trust in God, who set the rules for right behavior. Acting righteously matters more to him than achieving the goal, which he alone has the power to grant or take away. Thus we see why he delights in integrity. He is not a mere observer. He is the true goal of us who believe in him. Whatever may be our objectives, pleasing God is to be our one goal, and we please him by obeying his righteous laws and by trusting him with the outcome.