Fruits of Fairness
ACTING JUSTLY PROTECTS FROM DISHONOR AND PROVIDES FOR HONOR.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read Psalm 112:1-8.
Verse of the Day: “All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly” (Psalm 112:5).
Mom burst in the door, dropping her briefcase on the kitchen table. “I’m home!” she called.
Dad kissed her as she entered the living room, and Marcus and JoEllen hugged her.
“I’ve got some great news for you all,” Mom announced as she peeled Marcus and JoEllen off her legs. “I was promoted today! You’re looking at the new human resources director!”
“What’s that mean, Mommy?” Marcus asked.
Mom sat on the edge of the wingbacked chair beside the couch where she could talk to Marcus and JoEllen at eye level. “Well, it means I’ll make a little more money. But mostly it means I’ll have more responsibilities.”
“Why?” JoEllen asked.
Mom winked at her seven-year-old daughter. “That’s a good question.” “Because your mommy did a good job,” Dad said.
Mom turned to her husband. “Actually, they said the deciding factor was that several employees told my boss that I’d never treated any of them unfairly.”
“That’s great, sweetheart,” Dad said. “I’m proud of you.” He hugged her and then turned to his children. “And I want you two to realize that Mom was given her new position because she tries very hard to treat people fairly.”
Dad sat on the couch and drew the children onto his lap. “See, let’s pretend that Mom was the kind of person who always tries to play favorites, treats one person different from another, and tries to take credit for other people’s work. Do you think she would have gotten this promotion?”
“No!” JoEllen said firmly. Marcus shook his head.
“You’re right. Because treating people unfairly doesn’t just hurt them, it can hurt you, too.”
“It can make people not like you,” JoEllen offered.
“That’s true,” Dad said. “But because Mom treats people fairly, she’s been given the honor of a new, more important position.”
Marcus got up from his dad’s lap and crawled into Mom’s.
“But you know what will always be my most important position?” Mom asked. “Being your mommy.”
TO DISCUSS: Review today’s Bible reading. See if you can identify all the benefits and blessings that belong to those “who delight in doing what [God] commands.”
TO PRAY: “Lord, we need your help to delight in doing what you command. Thank you for the direction that you provide.”