Deuteronomy 23:21. “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.”
DON’T DO THAT. God sees what I cannot see – hidden things – hidden reasons – unknown to me Behind each door – each garment – each word – are secret thoughts God knows them – the intents of the heart – the channels of the mind And in no uncertain terms says, “Don’t do that!”
God knows the dangers – from nations without – from cultures strange to truth He looks down through days, weeks, months, years and centuries – and knows the end The results of letting things go for friendship – for acceptance – for peace And the final serious consequences are so damaging, “Don’t do that!”
Unqualified acceptance is so nice – you are everyone’s friend – but wait – God’s house is a holy place – “Holiness becometh Thy house” – A holy people cannot accept ungodliness – some things are still an abomination Even though the majority, and the law says, “Okay,” “Don’t do that!”
Profits are there to be made – at another person’s expense – they are in real need This is a time a lot of money can be made – exorbitant interest is there for the taking Everyone else is doing it – “That’s just good business,” they say – but wait He is your brother, and he has a need – when it comes to charging interest – “Don’t do it!”
Vows are made before men and before God – promises are to be kept – You are going give to God a certain amount – be sure you give what you say you will If you are going to give your time to God – be sure you give it – all of it If you are going to give yourself to God – be sure you do – otherwise – “Don’t do it!”
You see a way your can help your brother meet his own need – leave the corners A neighbor offers you some thing – do not take undue advantage of his generosity A person offers you some help – be thankful for what he is willing to do for you When the opportunity comes to take more than was agreed upon – “Don’t do it!”
“I know every act I do and word I say is seen and heard by Thee, Father. I never want to dishonor Thee by taking wrong advantage of others even though they may offer something out of the goodness of their heart. Keep me with a sense of what is good and proper rather than what can I get out of this. And when I commit myself to Thee in some way, please give me the ability to keep my word lest I cause someone to stumble and dishonor Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”