Men of Integrity

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” (Proverbs 10:4).
When someone is deceitful in their business practices, it is usually because they are trying to get ahead. The practice of imbalanced scales was popular in Biblical times. If you bought a pound of flour, an underhanded vendor might give you fourteen ounces. Over the course of an entire day, he could have an entire sack of flour available to sell the next day, as a result of cheating his customers. God says that although ungodly men use such deceptive tactics in an attempt to become rich, they will become poor instead. A man who is honest in his business practices will become rich financially, but more importantly, he will become rich in integrity, character and faithful customers. In Strong’s, the word slack is translated not only as deceitful but also slothful. “He becometh poor that dealeth with a [slothful] hand.” As men of God, one of our primary responsibilities is to provide for our families. We are not to be lazy and indolent, expecting God to feed us by the ravens, spiritually speaking. God does not often supernaturally intervene when He has given us the tools and abilities to provide for ourselves. Even though there are occasions when divine intervention is necessary, God expects us to use the resources He has given us. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” (Proverbs 19:15). Paul told the church at Thessalonica: “If any would not work, neither should he eat.’ (II Thessalonians 3:10). Godly men, be responsible; be honest; be diligent; be determined and be men of integrity.