Costly Speech

I am in a Jewish Torah study, and we are currently going precept by precept through the book of Leviticus. It is worth studying since all scripture is profitable. (2 Tim 3:16)

There is a passage in Leviticus 5 that causes us to pause. It has to do with the use of careless speech. Solomon also had something to say about this. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Prov 15:4

The Apostle Paul had strong language on the matter as well. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph 4:29

But in the law it is written, “Or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.” Lev 5:4-6

Wow! What does that cost? Today a young sheep or goat goes for about $230 according to a USDA market report. What if every time you spoke in a cross tone or used foul language, you had to fork over to a ministry, say, $200? What would your total monthly expense be?

From the above you can see that the Lord is more interested in our righteousness than our results. See what it is like to work with righteous, godly people in the world of missions. Start here at missionnext.org—a great place to explore. It’s free!

Nelson Malwitz, Founder

Nelson Malwitz, Founder

Nelson Malwitz, Founder

Nelson was raised in the C&MA and attended Urbana in college. A Chemical Engineer worked in R&D positions 33 years. with formal training in methods of creative problem-solving. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT (1982) in what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded the Finishers Project, now MissionNext, and serves on the Board. He has been in 45 countries to work with leaders of leaders and see multiple cultures first hand.

Related Pages and Posts:

Serve Him with All Our Being
You are a Special Treasure
Going Fishing
The End of the Earth Has an Address
Who is Your Neighbor?
Your Passion

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