*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*WHICH WAY AND HOW? (3)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Lev 10:1-2 *And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.*
*And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Make sure your achieved goal is just as good as the means or ways you acquired it.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
In the past two days, we have considered two things.
First, where the crooked means of a person can never justify his achieved goal. Such a person who achieved such a goal is inconsiderate.
Second, we saw how a person's means can justify his end if he employs a righteous means. In such a situation, such a person is considered considerate, having shown he cared for others to achieve his expected end
Today, we will be considering the expected end rather than the means employed to achieve them, as was seen in our last two editions.
Now, having considered how good or bad the ways we employ to achieve an end, the question we are faced with is does what we achieve as an end justify whether or not the ways of achieving the end is right or wrong?
The grassroot truth is that the means (or ways) we employ to achieve an end (or our goal) must both be righteous. This is the focus of today's word as we wrap up this topic.
Does what we achieve as an end justify the means we employed to achieve it?
For example, a person who stole or amassed money who is now rich to all but whom nobody remembers how he made many to suffer through his corruption but now remembers his philanthropy.
Has his wealthy end justified the crooked way he got his wealth?
Has his end justified the means according to the Bible?
The best answer is to always be righteous in all we do, knowing well that a good outcome must never excuse any wrongs committed to attain it.
In other words, we are saying here that, given the above answer, it is not true that a successful end does justify crooked means to achieve it. Proverbs 14:12 says, *There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.*
Nadab and Abihu thought their means of giving God an acceptable offering was to employ a means of strange fire.
Though their end (i.e., the offering) was achieved but the way (i.e., the means) they employed was wrong before God and their end did not justify their wrong means.
In what way can you say the elevated position you find yourself today was attained by righteous means? The properties you own today, were they acquired in the most righteous ways?
Did you cause anyone sorrow before you attained the joy you have today?
It is better you restitute.
Though you may be the most influential, most celebrated, the richest and famous, but how did you get there?
If you have built your joy on other people's sorrow, your influential end can never justify the means or ways you got there. You have not acted righteously no matter what position you are holding in the community or how many people you have touched.
Do not and never build your joy on anyone's sorrow!
*Remorse corner.*
If you made money through unscrupulous means, you may think your rich end will justify the crooked ways you got it. No, it can not. Fear God. He will judge you.
*Call to Word action.*
Prov 28:8 *He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
You can not bribe God with bounty if you are a looty.
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me. Let my means justify the end and let my end justify the means in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.