In 2 Kings 12:4–15, Jehoash was king over Judah. He instructed the priests to use the money brought into the house of the Lord to repair the temple in Jerusalem. Years passed. Money had been collected, yet the work still wasn’t getting done. The problem wasn’t a lack of resources; it was a lack of follow-through. So Jehoash stepped in and changed the system. A chest was set up by Jehoiada the priest. The money was collected openly, and faithful men were appointed to oversee the work. When the chest
was full, the money was counted and placed into the hands of the workmen who had oversight of the house of the Lord. We might think of these men as superintendents. They, in turn, paid carpenters, masons, and stonecutters to carry out the repairs. What is remarkable about these men is found in verse 15: King Jehoash and the men with him “did not ask for an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt honestly.” They did not keep the money for
themselves. They did not use it to settle personal debts or divert it to other projects. Their work did not have to be questioned because their character could be trusted. What they were given to do is exactly what they did. They dealt honestly.
During our Sunday morning worship, if the Lord wills, we will consider what Jesus says abouthonesty in Matthew 5:33–37. In that passage, Jesus presents the same challenge we see in 2 Kings 12: Christians are to be people who deal honestly. If we say we will do something, we should do it. If we make a promise, we should keep it. If we refuse something, we should stand by it. And if we change our minds, we should have the humility to admit we were wrong and the resolve to make it right. As Paul
says, we are to put away falsehood and speak the truth with our neighbors. The wisdom of Proverbs reinforces this truth again and again. The Lord hates a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:16-19). “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9). “Lying
lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22). “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1).
There’s a story about a young woman sitting on a Florida beach when a little boy, in his swimming trunks and carrying a towel, approached her and asked, “Do you believe in God?” Surprised, she said yes. “Do you go to church every Sunday?” Yes. “Do you read your Bible and pray every day?” Again, yes. After a pause, the boy sighed in relief and said, “Will you hold my quarter while I go swimming?”
People expect honesty from those who claim to follow God. Our families expect it. Our friends expect it. Our brothers and sisters in Christ expect it. Most importantly, our Heavenly Father expects it. While accountability certainly has its place, let’s live and speak in such a way that it isn’t constantly required because we can be trusted. Let’s follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who is the truth (John 14:6). And in all things, let’s live, speak, and deal honestly.
-Tyler Alverson
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