A news article once told of a large feedlot that overpaid about $140,000 for feed grain due to an electronic “butcher’s thumb.” An electronic gadget operated by remote control was suspected of making grain truck scales at the lot register more grain than actually was delivered.
The newspaper said a 75-pound weight allegedly was attached to the scales under the truck weighing area, with the weight’s position on the scale beams determining how much a load was “padded.” A similar gimmick was used in a grain-storage operation in Colorado.
Such dishonesty is not a new problem. The Bible says, “A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight” (Proverbs 11:1).
A false balance is just one way you can be dishonest in business. You can be dishonest by misrepresenting the facts about a product. You can be dishonest by taking advantage of the ignorance of others. You can be dishonest by making more than a fair and reasonable profit. You can be dishonest by not paying your debts. The one who does not pay his debts is a liar and a thief. He has given his word and not kept it. He has taken that which belonged to another and not paid for it.
All dishonesty grows out of greed and covetousness. Such dishonesty is an abomination (object of hatred, disgust) to the Lord. God can never be pleased with such things. But “a just weight is his delight.” God is pleased, even delighted, when people are honest and fair in business. Is God delighted with you? Not unless you are honest in every way.