Scattering Righteousness

SCATTERING RIGHTEOUSNESS

By Deborah R. Turner

Maria walked into a new jewelry store in the mall and was immediately descended upon by the salesperson. "Let me set up an account for you," she said by way of greeting, picking up an application form.

"I can't," Maria answered with a shake of her head. My husband and I are on a strict budget and he would not be at all pleased with me if I bought something now."

"So, don't tell him," the salesgirl said, lifting her pen.

"No, thanks," Maria said, and left immediately feeling upset by the encounter.

When she returned home, Maria told her husband about the deceitful salesgirl and what she had been advised to do. He later said that Maria's actions had shown her to be a trustworthy wife and he was pleased with her. Maria walked around in a rosy glow for the rest of the week.

How many of us have had an experience with a deceitful person? They do their best to lead another person into trouble by falsehood, deliberate concealment, or a misrepresentation of the truth. When confronted, they will either lie to get themselves out of an uncomfortable situation, or they will say that they were "only joking." Sometimes they will say, "I'm sorry", expecting that to cover their hurtful actions and make it all right.

Many of us have walked away from these situations feeling hurt and angry, with a strong distrust for the person who calls herself our friend. Obviously we must not mean much to her. No, a deceitful person can never be called a true friend.

Proverbs 11:18 says, "The wicked man does deceptive work, but to him who sows righteousness will be a sure reward." (NKJV)

Sowing righteousness. I like the sound of that. Many times while I was growing up in Ethiopia, East Africa, I saw the farmers scattering their seeds over their cultivated fields. When the rains came, the harvest was rich. When the rains failed to come, the crops withered and died, leaving much hunger and sorrow behind.

The verse above gives us a commission: To scatter the seeds of uprightness, virtue, and moral purity in the lives of those around us. If we are faithful in scattering the seeds and watering them with our prayers, we will see a rich harvest of souls won for the Kingdom of God.

I do not want to be known as deceitful person, one who lives to mislead and betray people. Rather I want to be known as a woman who sows righteousness and goodness.

"Lord, let me not be one who does deceptive work, but let me scatter the seeds of righteousness in the lives of those around me, that Your name might be glorified and souls will be won for the Kingdom."