Settle Matters

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 19, 2015

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison”. Matthew 5:25

Settle matters sooner than later, so all parties can focus on other significant issues. Lawsuits drain the life from relationships and can easily bring long-term relational harm. It is a financial bottomless pit that throws stewardship to the wind. Check everyone’s motivation, if fear, greed or anger is driving the legal process, then it is unhealthy.

Why go through the emotional torture of a long drawn out litigious process? A call for justice is legitimate, but can there be a fair settlement without having to drag the relationship through an adversarial trial? Can’t someone be the mature Christian adult and bring a close to the conflict? Money can be made again, but broken relationships may not be mended. Early Christians struggled with these issues of how to settle matters well.

“The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers” (1 Corinthians 6:7-8).

Maybe you are in a legal contract that is onerous, even unbearable. Circumstances have changed in your work environment and you are straddled with a commitment you are struggling to fulfill. Have you gone to the other party and explained your situation? Have you ask them for concessions and for a new contract? Perhaps there are other options that can be worked out between you. Humble yourself and trust God to work it out.

“My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler” (Proverbs 6:1-5).

Be honest and from a prayerful position seek to understand the needs of the other and then offer reasonable solutions to the situation. Pray the Lord will open the heart of the other party and bring creative alternatives to the table for discussion. Remember to keep your Christian testimony pure and attractive. Your kingdom is not of this world, so bring honor to King Jesus by doing the right thing in the right way. Settle matters soon.

Application: How can I settle matters in a manner that honors the Lord and all parties?

Related Readings: Exodus 23:2-3; Hosea 10:4; 1 Corinthians 4:2-4; 6:1-6

Post/Tweet this today: Money can be made again, but broken relationships may not be mended. #settlematters #wisdomhunters

Additional Resource: 4 minute music video- Hillsong: God is Able

Today’s reading is from our 30 day devotional book Wisdom for Work. Order Boyd’s new book. 

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