Hard done by
This is a tough one…
I was thinking about this and what would be the right action on the part of a Christian. If we enter into an agreement with someone and they don’t fulfill their end of the deal, what do we do? I will put an example out there.
I build houses for a living. On one of my past houses, I had a set of stairs built by a company of whom I have never worked with before. I found them on a local classifieds website. I awarded them the job because they said they could complete the job in the next couple days. All other companies said four to six weeks! I needed the stairs more quickly than that because trades hate having to climb ladders from floor to floor. These stairs were also more expensive that the other ones that I would have to wait for.
I ordered the stairs and they required half of the money as a downpayment. I accepted. They had the stairs built and installed in roughly four days. Once completed, they needed the rest of the money. I paid them.
I thought they did a pretty good job on the stairs, yet when my brother-in-law was visiting, he pointed out that the stairs didn’t leave enough head room clearance for someone walking down the stairs. Because I am shorter, I didn’t notice until he pointed it out.
I called the company to come and check it out. They came, measured and agreed that the stairs were built wrong. They said that they would build another set and come to replace them. After weeks and weeks of waiting, I called and could never get anyone. I blocked my number and finally got through. They kept pushing me off until finally, a few calls later, they said they wouldn’t do it.
I was pretty upset. All the possible scenarios of what I should do came to my mind. I wanted justice. Because I knew where this guy lived, I was tempted to leave the stairs on his front lawn with an invoice attached to them saying “Pay up, or we’ll see you in court.
After a bit I let it go. It’s only money and God is my supply. This was the right response, yet so many think that it is ok to get justice, even if we are “right”. I thought we gave away our rights when we got saved?
1Co 6:7 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?
Lev 19:18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Rom 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Pro 24:29 Do not say, “I’ll do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.” Rom 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Pro 20:22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
We need to let things go, contract or no contract. This is not God’s way. We stoop to the same level as those who “commit the crime” when we demand justice in our own way. Is it not God who will avenge? What are your thoughts?
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