October 31

The Banker’s Bogus Virtue

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy (Hebrews 12:14).

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-17

Song: “More Holiness Give Me”

It was a normal day at the bank until doors opened and a team of men and women spread through every department. For the final hours of the day they observed every station; and at day’s end they locked everything away and sealed every door and drawer. The reason? A vice president of the bank was about to be arrested for embezzlement. The bizarre feature of the crime was his objective: he gave all the money to charities.

Charity is a virtue. That is a good thing. Scripture directs us to cultivate it and other virtues such as peacemaking. Isaac was a peacemaker who understood that, in his case, wells were not worth fighting for in his search for a place. But, with all virtues there is this matter of holiness. Like the banker’s “charity,” peacemaking can be kidnapped by the dark side. Being an authentic peacemaker does not make a person holy. Rather, it is the result of it.

That is important to understand, because holiness can sometimes disturb peace. The apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:15, 16, “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for grace to live a life which can bring peace in my relationships; but help me not to love peace so much that I dishonor Jesus to keep it. In my Savior’s name I pray. Amen.