How can we keep from taking advantage of others?
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?
