Question 1

What can tempt someone to take advantage of another person?

Accepted Answer

1 Samuel 24:4-7“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul.Peer pressure and the temptation of success and control can cause us to take advantage of others. We must be certain that the counsel of others is God-focused rather than self-focused.Deuteronomy 24:14Never take advantage of poor and destitute laborers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns.Zechariah 7:10Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.2 Timothy 3:5-6They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.We should pay close attention to the character of those we surround ourselves with. Some people like to take advantage of those who are vulnerable. Seek out relationships with people who support and encourage, lift you up, love you well, and set a godly example.Genesis 27:35-36Isaac said, “Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has taken away your blessing.” Esau exclaimed, “No wonder his name is Jacob, for now he has cheated me twice. First he took my rights as the firstborn, and now he has stolen my blessing. Oh, haven’t you saved even one blessing for me?”Romans 16:18Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.Those who are most concerned about their own personal interests often take advantage of others. Pray for wisdom to tell the difference between those who genuinely desire to serve God and those who only care about their own interests and happiness.Jeremiah 23:10The land is full of adultery, and it lies under a curse. The land itself is in mourning—its wilderness pastures are dried up. For they all do evil and abuse what power they have.Ezekiel 22:27Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money!Micah 7:3Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice.Power and money often combine to tempt people to take advantage of others.

Question 2

What are the results of taking advantage of others?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 24:15You must pay them their wages each day before sunset because they are poor and are counting on it. If you don’t, they might cry out to the Lord against you, and it would be counted against you as sin.Isaiah 3:14The Lord comes forward to pronounce judgment on the elders and rulers of his people: “You have ruined Israel, my vineyard. Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor.”God considers it sin to take advantage of others. Those who take advantage of others will be judged.Matthew 21:13He [Jesus] said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”John 2:15-16Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”The moneychangers were taking advantage of those coming to the Temple to worship. Taking advantage of others can interfere with worship.Job 24:20-21“No one will remember them. Wicked people are broken like a tree in the storm. They cheat the woman who has no son to help her. They refuse to help the needy widow.”Psalm 25:3No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.Proverbs 26:26While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.Those who take advantage of others will eventually be exposed and judged by God.

Question 3

How can we keep from taking advantage of others?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 25:17“Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God.”Nehemiah 5:15The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.A healthy fear of God deters us from taking advantage of others. When we see others as God sees them, we will love and serve them, not hurt them.Deuteronomy 24:10-13“If you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to pick up the item he is giving as security. You must wait outside while he goes in and brings it out to you. If your neighbor is poor and gives you his cloak as security for a loan, do not keep the cloak overnight. Return the cloak to its owner by sunset so he can stay warm through the night and bless you, and the Lord your God will count you as righteous.”Psalm 82:3Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.We are to be considerate of others. We should treat others as we would like to be treated.Leviticus 19:15Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.Deuteronomy 1:16-17At that time I instructed the judges, “You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich.”Jeremiah 22:3“This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!”Zechariah 7:9“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.”James 2:1-4, 8My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? . . . Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!We are to be fair, never show partiality, and always show mercy and kindness to each other. Fairness is keeping the same attitude toward everyone, without showing favor to some.Psalm 112:5Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.Proverbs 16:11The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.We are to be fair in all business dealings, using God’s standards.Isaiah 33:15-16Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.2 Corinthians 4:2We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.We are to reject all questionable methods of dealing with others. When we follow Christ, we must become like him in the way we deal with others.Galatians 5:13You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.Galatians 6:10Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.Ephesians 5:15-16So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.Colossians 4:5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.We should actively search for ways to do good to others. It is when we get caught up with the “things” of this world that we are more likely to begin taking advantage of others.Proverbs 21:2People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.1 Corinthians 10:12If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.Galatians 1:10Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.1 Timothy 1:5The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.1 Peter 5:8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.We must constantly check our motives, honestly questioning ourselves about our thoughts and actions. Are we really acting out of a love for others, or are we simply trying to win approval? Are we living out of love and faithfulness to God, or simply filling out a checklist of obedience?

Question 4

How should we best react when others take advantage of us?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 31:7“He has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm.”Proverbs 22:22-23Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.Ezekiel 34:22So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another.1 Peter 2:23He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.God will be our protector, our ultimate defender and fair judge. He will not forget the injuries we received from others, and he will deal with them in his own way and time. We do not need to retaliate when our Almighty God is there to judge for us.

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