What Does the Bible Say About Dishonesty?

Many people wonder what the Bible has to say about dishonesty. Most references in the Bible about dishonesty talk about dishonest gain, such as dishonest scales that enable a merchant to charge a customer for 1 lb. of goods when he only sold 3/4 lbs. Basically, the Bible says that God detests dishonesty.

Instructions

Identification

1. A variation of the term "dishonest" appears eighteen times in the Bible. Most of these references refer to "dishonest gain" (Exodus 18:21) or "dishonest scales" (Proverbs 11:1).

Significance

1. God does not like dishonesty and speaks out harshly against it in the Bible. God's laws in the Old Testament specifically forbade using "dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity" (Leviticus 19:35). The Bible says that "the Lord your God detests anyone who ... deals dishonestly" (Deuteronomy 25:16). The Bible says in Proverbs 11:1 that "The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight." Clearly, God feels very strongly about dishonesty.

Misconceptions

1. Some people believe that dishonesty in the little things does not matter, but the Bible sees it differently. In the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-15), Jesus said the following: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" (Luke 16:10-11).

Considerations

1. After sharing the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-15), Jesus pointed out that "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (Luke 16:13). If you are dishonest with money, then you are choosing money as your god over God Himself. You are also preventing God from showering you with material blessings, because He cannot trust you as a steward over them.

Effects

1. Although people who are dishonest with money believe that they are building up their possessions, the Bible tells us that dishonesty will only result in losing your possessions. In Proverbs 13:11, the Bible says, "Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow." God will punish those who practice dishonesty: "By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching" (Ezekiel 28:18).

Resources

• The Parable of the Shrewd Manager