“Means & Ends” is October 5’s entry from Dr. David Jeremiah’s ‘Turning Points with God: 365 Daily Devotions’.
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool." Proverbs 19:1
Throughout the ages, ethicists have debated the connection between means and ends: can immoral actions be justified in order to achieve moral outcomes? For example, would a prisoner be justified in paying a bribe to a dishonest jailer in order to get out of jail to save the life of his dying child? Does saving the life of the child justify dishonesty?
Fortunately, the Bible offers insight into this difficult question. When David, the new king of Israel, wanted to return the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, God took a man’s life for not handling the Ark in the prescribed manner. Then in 1 Samuel 6:19, “He struck down some of the men of Beth-Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD.”
Why the harsh treatment?
Specifically, because Israel needed to regain a lost fear (awe) and respect for God’s holiness.
Generally, because God is as interested in how we do things as in what we do. From God’s perspective, the end doesn’t justify the means: wanting to do something good doesn’t excuse doing something bad.
If you are planning an action, look as closely at the “how” as you do at the “what.” Make sure both bring honor to God.
To end, a quote from William Shakespeare, “Mine honor is my life; both grow in one. Take honor from me, and my life is done.”
