Early in my career, I was a public practice auditor. Just in case you don’t know what that involves, an auditor reports on the fairness of an entity’s financial statements. Auditors’ reports are used by investors, regulators, creditors, lenders and other stakeholders. Professional standards specify ways to test, review, confirm, etc., financial records in forming a basis for the report. Occasionally, the audit process is quite complicated.
I experienced a few audit complications in my career, none more troubling than one where a company’s principal accounting officer began to cry uncontrollably during my initial visit. That, naturally, raised this auditor’s skepticism. However, I soon learned there was no “hanky panky” that caused the distress. Rather, every ledger, journal, bank account, etc., was out of balance, and had been for months. That’s still a problem, but its resolution was unlike dealing with fraud or shady business matters. In another circumstance, I had to consider a client’s out-of-balance condition in excess of $1 million. In both situations, the balance had to be restored before any auditor could navigate through the quagmire. Nothing is easy if we’re out of balance.
Is there such a thing as being spiritually out of balance? The phrase “out of balance” is not in the Bible, but the idea is there. A balanced approach to life is consistent with biblical guidance. Proverbs 11:1 tells us that dishonest scales are “an abomination to the Lord”, a term that suggests extreme disgust in God’s eyes. Cheating with scales conflicts with the second greatest command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). This is a hidden principle that goes beyond scales and weights to personal relationships and strong moral principles in all actions with everyone. Both Micah (6:8) and Paul (Philippians 2:3-4) emphasize justice, mercy, and humility in dealing with others. Life, for most of us, is chaotic. Carrying our troubles and heartaches on our shoulders creates an imbalance that impedes God’s avenues for us to escape temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 5:6-7). It may not be given in direct words, but biblical principles show a balanced life is needed for seeking righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). We must seek spiritual well-being along with physical, mental and emotional health to have a balanced, effective Christian life. Surely, it’s an affront to God if we care not about spiritual growth as we try to balance life’s challenges.
-Roger Johnson
0 Comments