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Have you ever read something multiple times thinking it was an obsolete practice, only to find that it has immense meaning today? I have the habit of reading the Proverb of the day (whatever the numerical days it is I read that chapter: Sept 2nd read Prov. 2). When something is repeated multiple times in the Bible you are supposed to take notice. Well, in Proverbs 11:1, 16:11, 20:10, and 20:23 there is instruction to maintain honest weights and measures. I usually skipped over those verses because we don't use them for our money supply anymore. Therein lies the problem...

Most of us today don't even know what "weights and measures" are. Weights and measures were the standard by which precious metals were given value, thus establishing a means to pay for goods or services that equaled that "money". For example, I love gummy worms. If I were to use the old system of payment to buy a pound of gummies, valued at $3.00, I would have to shave off 0.00215 oz of gold (based on the price of gold at the time of this writing $1394.4/oz) and exchange it for my delectable treat. As long as the "measures" were accurate, I would have a fair deal. We don't have that today because of paper money. The difference in value between a $100 bill and a $1 bill is... here's the kicker... none. They weight the same, are the same size, even have about the same amount of ink on them. So what makes one more valuable than the other? The number inked on the paper. But who put that number on there? The government right? Nope... a private bank called the Federal Reserve Bank. Don't let the federal word in the name deceive you. Look it up.

So to the point: To have dishonest weights and measures that the Lord abhors (Proverbs 11:1) means to tamper with the perceived value of what should be an immovable standard of measurement. If the one weighing the gold uses a weight heavier than the value agreed upon, the buyer would pay more than the object bought is worth.

When something is rare, it has high value. When something is common, it's value goes down. A #2 pencil is not hard to find, thus making them a few cents. A signed Michael Jordan rookie card is probably worth a good chunk of money, because it's rare. So let's take our valueless paper money into account. It is dubbed by a private bank (whom our government gets it's loans from) to have a certain value. That same bank at any given moment prints an additional amount they desire. If I struck a deal with TOPPS, a sports card company, to print me ten more MJ rookie cards and get them signed by MJ himself without anyone else knowing, I could sell those at the price of the original rare card. The problem is then those cards are less rare, thus decreasing the value of them all, even though I sold them at the "rarer" price. The Federal Reserve prints more money and spends it at current market value, but once that money is in circulation the value goes down. Does that count as dishonest weights and measure which our Lord abhors??? YES

When I was a kid gummies were $1.00 per pound. Now they are over $3.00 per pound and they're the same gummies. Seems pretty dishonest to me. Ironic how Biblical principles still hold true today. The founding fathers of America were not perfect men, but they used God's word as the foundation of the constitution and we prospered greatly under it until it was changed in 1913. God's word is timeless and true and get this: it works.

For more on this topic and for solutions read Leadershift by Orrin Woodward. Also, as these thoughts came to my mind and I looked up info I stumbled on a great post with similar thoughts here:
http://foodforthethinkers.com/2011/05/14/honest-money-the-bible-and-the-constitution/

Our thoughts on Godly money and government interaction need to BEGIN AGAIN.

 
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    On Monday I voice my frustration with the rapid decline of moral standards for television. I was surprised to see the response. With my education in marketing, I have a tendancy to do market research. This means I watch to see what demographic of people (geographically) and how many view my blog. An average post of mine gets around 125 people view it and maybe one or two comments. On Monday more than 500 people saw it in 22 states and five countries. The thoughts must have struck a chord with some people.
    Tuesday was equally impressive with 120 visitors. Then Wednesday I didn't look and it (down to 24) and went back to my normal routine. Wait... what? I just got done speaking of the change that is need and followed it with... normal? I am ashamed. After reading the last post, how many episode of TV did you watch? How many hours of video games did you play? How many good books were read, or minutes in reflection and prayer? My answers hurt my soul, I would imagine many of yours did too.
    After reading the book The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, I became fascinated with epidemics. I don't mean the disease kind, but the "everyone has, does, or knows 'x' idea seemingly within a matter of hours. But 500 people does not change the thoughts and minds of a nation. With the Lenten season coming up (starts next week) I propose a challenge. If you haven't read my last post, do that first. The challenge is this: Let's shut off the tv, video games, useless internet times, and apps on the phone, and read or write a letter to a friend. It is a "wasted time" fast. But there is one more part to the challenge. Let people know about it. Write your experience on here of the results of this break. We are not alone in our thoughts of desiring change. SHARE, COMMENT, TALK so we know how "un"alone we really are.
    Could something as simple as sharing a blog, commenting, and reading help a country? Probably not. But it will most definitely help you. No more going back to routine after getting passionate about things that are wrong. It's time to change. Below are videos that hurt to watch. Excuse the expletives used in the first, but it makes a point.

I do not own the rights to these videos

 
    In the mid 1700's, few colonial Americans knew about the drastic transformations that would occur by the turn of the century. In his book, Freedom Shift, Oliver DeMille talks about what it took for the one of the greatest movements of freedom in history to unfold. The common perception is that everyone living in the fledgling colonies was angry with England. In reality only about 2 or 3% of the population of that day had any part in starting and carrying out the American Revolution. It was just a small group of committed men who signed their lives away on the Declaration of Independence. These men changed the world.

    I have the privilege of meeting with a small group of young men on Friday mornings before they head off to their high school classrooms. Each one of them has a passion for bettering the world around them by first bettering themselves. They make me better by their presence. There is a greatness about them that is uncommon. I do not fear for our future with such good men coming to lead. Their names are as follows: Nick, William, Clark, Gary, Tommy B, Grant, Tommy H, Cam, Mitch, Adam, Mack, Bo, Carter, Jake, and Jimmy. Others I am sure will join this group for the sheer fact of associating with awesomeness.

    DeMille puts a stress on three things that need to happen to allow freedom to reign: a small group of committed people who are 1) veracious readers/independent thinkers, 2) successful entrepreneurs, and 3) tribal leaders. The guys I spend time with have the capacity to be the type of people who can change the world like the signer of the Declaration of Independence. Are you willing to become the type of person it takes to change the world? If your answer is yes, let's talk.

I encourage you to read The Declaration of Independence as a reminder of the world the founding fathers tried to create: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html