My job is to buy real estate for the government. We pay property owners a fair price and often a bit more. The law requires the government to pay market value, as determined by an appraisal. Generally, people are pleased knowing that the underground pipeline will not present too much inconvenience, and the money often comes at a good time.
However, property owners who grew up in other countries are sometimes uncomfortable with this process. One family from Chechnya was convinced I was trying to steal from them. How could I convince them that the United States does not operate like Soviet Russia? I have had similar problems with property owners from around the globe. Many are accustomed to being pushed around by their governments back home, and no matter how kind I am—when a man shows up on behalf of the state, it can be like a flashback to the trauma they left behind. One or two have become almost violently afraid, as though we planned to take their land, pay them nothing, knock down their house, let the dogs loose, and more.
Do you know what makes America different from places like Chechnya? The Bible. Although many European nations had Bibles, the New World offered a fresh start, and somehow when people came here, the values of honesty, transparency, and government accountability took root in ways they have in very few other nations. (Of course, the USA is filled with liars, cheats, and hypocrites—don’t get me wrong. But for whatever reason, the American public is able to insist on a higher level than most of honesty and accountability in the marketplace and in government.)
God scolded the kings of Israel for not treating people fairly.
“You have gone too far, princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Put an end to your evictions of my people … You must have honest scales, an honest dry measure, and an honest liquid measure” Ezekiel 45:9-10.
Scales were used in every transaction: merchants would weigh the grain being purchased, and then weigh the silver being used to pay for it. But scales could be rigged to overvalue the grain purchased and undervalue the money paid, forcing consumers to pay more. (This has been a problem in our world when gas stations manipulate gas pumps so that they over-measure the fuel delivered, forcing consumers to pay the same amount for less fuel.) Sellers, princes, gas station owners—you may think you will get away with it. But God sees and God will judge.
Do you operate just scales? Do you treat people fairly, both buyers and sellers? Are you honest in all your dealings, 2 Kings 12:15?
God sees and God will judge.
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY.
ΑΩ
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