Let's Be Honest

Show Notes

The Bible is filled with directions for living the Christian life, but not all of them made it into the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:16 reads, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”

That’s a very broad commandment. It doesn’t apply only to legal proceedings or even finances, for that matter. It means we are never to be dishonest anywhere at any time. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “What about Exodus 1, where the Israelite midwives deceive Pharaoh to protect infants … and Joshua 2, where Rahab lies to save the Israelite spies? Why are those cases seemingly acceptable to God?

Well, those were times when two conflicting moral imperatives collided head-on, telling the truth and saving lives. Because we are made in the image of God, saving human life obviously wins out and that’s what the midwives and Rahab did.

But it’s very unlikely any of us will ever be in a similar situation, so let’s get back to why honesty is so important for the rest of us.

GOD IS TRUTH

And that’s simply because it’s so fundamentally important to God. He’s completely and utterly holy and cannot abide sin of any kind, including dishonesty. God is truth.

Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Compare that to Satan— whom Jesus describes in John 8:44 as, “a liar and the father of lies.”

The world is watching to see which side we’re on. We’re image bearers of God— so we must always be scrupulously honest.

Now, as we turn to financial honesty specifically, you might wonder why we’re not focusing on another commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” which comes right before “thou shalt not lie.”

We don’t think that’s a coincidence. Those two commandments are linked and expand on each other. It’s difficult to do one without doing the other. When it comes to finances, they’re two sides of the same coin. How can you steal without first being dishonest? 

How can you be dishonest with money and not be stealing from someone?

Now, one of the things we say a lot on this program is that money in itself isn’t important to God. It’s only a tool. If that’s true, you may wonder why not stealing was important enough to make it into the 10 commandments.

Well, God already owns everything, so no, money isn’t important to him, but honesty is because God is truth. 

In Luke 16, the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, Jesus says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."

Jesus is talking about money there, and more specifically, He’s teaching that how we manage it is a measure of our character.

We’ve talked a lot about honesty, but what about dishonesty and the consequences of it? Obviously knowing that we’ll have to stand before the Judgment Seat someday to answer for every lie we tell should be a strong disincentive.

But there could be other, more immediate consequences. We take a risk when we’re dishonest with money. We could lose God’s blessing in our affairs and that doesn’t have to involve money.

Consider Romans 12:2— Most of us are familiar with the first part of that verse, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind …”

But we often miss the second part, “ … that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The whole verse implies that there’s a blessing in doing God’s will, a key part of which is to be honest in all of our dealings, financial and otherwise. That’s not necessarily a financial blessing. Often, it’s something even better.

For example, one blessing you receive by handling money honestly is that you reduce your stress level. Even if it costs you money, you have peace of mind in knowing that you’re pleasing God, the One who gives you everything.

So there you have it, the case for biblical honesty at all times, in all places, including your finances.

On today’s program, Rob also answers listener questions: 

• How do you determine the best thing to do with a lump sum of cash? 
• What’s the difference between a ‘transfer upon death’ of a home vs just leaving it to a person in a will? 
• Is now a good time to invest in a rental property? 
• Do you have to pay taxes on an inherited home? 

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network as well as American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.comwhere you can join the FaithFi Community, and give  as we expand our outreach.