Proverbs 20:14 It is naught, it is naught, said the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasts. The man who would be really religious, must be influenced by religion in every part of his conduct, and on all occasions, during the week, as well as on the Sabbath; in his intercourse with man, as well as in his approaches to God. To conduct worldly business in a perfectly fair and upright manner, in such a manner as God prescribes, is a most important and difficult part of true religion. I. SOME GENERAL RULES WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN FOR THE DIRECTION OF THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW AND DO THEIR DUTY. 1. The rule that requires us to love our neighbour as ourselves. 2. The rule which forbids us to covet any part of our neighbour's possessions. The command is express and comprehensive. We are not forbidden to desire the property of another, on fair and equitable terms. It forbids every desire to increase our property at our neighbour's expense. 3. We are commanded to observe in all our transactions the rules of justice, truth, and sincerity. 4. We are directed in all our transactions to remember that the eye of God is upon us. II. APPLY THESE RULES AND SHOW WHAT THEY REQUIRE, WHAT THEY FORBID, AND WHEN THEY ARE VIOLATED. 1. What do these rules require of us as subjects or members of civil society? There is an implied contract or agreement between a government and its subjects, by which the subjects engage to give a portion of their property in exchange for the blessings of protection, social order, and security. 2. The application of these rules to the common pecuniary transactions of life. They forbid every wish, and much more every attempt, to defraud or deceive our neighbour. And this on the part of both buyer and seller. We must put ourselves in the place of our neighbour, and do as we would be done by. We are always to act as we would do if our fellow-creatures could see our hearts. 3. Apply these rules to our past conduct, that we may ascertain how far we have observed, and in what instances we have disregarded them. God takes special cognisance of the wrongs which are done by artifice, fraud, and deceit, and which human laws cannot prevent or discover. Any who have violated these rules in their pecuniary transactions are required to repent, and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. There is no repentance, and of course no forgiveness, without restitution. How can a man repent of iniquity who still retains the wages of iniquity? And these rules must regulate our future transactions if we mean to be the real subjects of Christ. They are the laws of His kingdom, which you have covenanted to obey. (E. Payson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.WEB: "It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts. |
    |