by Deborah Towles
Synopsis: Using standards of measurement, especially a pan balance, provide opportunities for parents and children to explore, visualize, communicate, and evaluate spiritual truths together.
What child is not fascinated with measuring his progress of growth using bathroom scales or a growth chart on the wall? When helping in the kitchen, children love to measure, pour, and stir. They rarely understand, and adults take for granted, the necessity for accurate and uniform standards of measure. We regularly use standardized tools in the kitchen (measuring cups, spoons, food scales), and the garage (tape measures, yardsticks, graduated buckets, gas cans). We confidently buy a pound of meat, assuming that we are getting a full pound. We purchase gasoline or a gallon of milk, expecting to get an accurate amount.
The tools for fair and just evaluation and exchange are an important part of our daily lives, guaranteed by our Constitution and operating under the oversight of the Department of Weights and Measures. A pan balance scale of justice represents the goal of our legal system to be fair and just, meting out equitable punishment befitting a crime. Whether we admit it or not, we expect and demand fairness based on uniform standards because this is right. These standards of measure, especially the pan scale, provide opportunities to learn to make discerning judgments regarding matters of great spiritual value.
Since righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne (Ps. 89:14), it is no surprise that a just weight and a fair balance are His delights and a requirement for His people (Prov. 11:1; 16:11). Dishonest practices while conducting trade are an abomination to Him (Deut. 25:13-16). All God's works and judgments are true and just (Deut. 32:4; Rev. 16:7) as He weighs the motives of men's hearts (Prov. 21:2; 16:2) and actions (1 Sam. 2:3; Prov. 24:12) by the standard of the Word of God (Heb. 2:1-3; John 12:48). When men tamper with that standard, they incur condemnation upon themselves and those who follow such deceptions (Gal. 1:6-9). Some replace the true standard, measuring themselves by themselves (2 Cor. 10:12), and end up believing a comfortable lie. Some lay heavy burdens upon others, yet are unwilling to help ease that load (Matt. 23:4). Righteous men have nothing to fear from being placed on God's scale (Job 31:6), but the wicked should tremble for they will be found wanting (Dan. 5:27). Our hearts are challenged to credit sin with the judgment it deserves until we recognize its cost. The blood of the Son of God is required to balance the scale of justice in regard to sin. Only in this way could God be just and the justifier of faithful men (Rom. 3:23-26). Jesus challenges His disciple to weigh any earthly pleasure or pursuit against the value of his soul (Mark 8:37). We are encouraged to lay aside every weight of sin in order to reach our just reward (Heb. 12:1-2; 2 Tim 4:7-8).
The purchase of an inexpensive pan scale, foam blocks and wooden blocks can be used as a valuable, visual tool when teaching children to classify information about spiritual truths, other's choices as well as their own. By recording fitting Scriptures on the heavier blocks and unworthy attitudes on lighter ones, God's wisdom can be weighed against the wisdom of the world, honesty against dishonesty, selflessness against selfishness, humility against pride, generosity against greed, character of heart against outward appearance, obedience against disobedience, love against hate. It can be used to help children understand the justice of their own and other's punishment and/or rewards. It demonstrates the need for respecting the Scriptures, for avoiding the temptation to "lighten" His commands or to place "heavier burdens" than required (Rev. 22:18-19). It can also be used to demonstrate the need to gather all pertinent information in order to have the full truth regarding a subject.
God has made so many of His truths easier to understand through objects and events in our daily lives. May God bless you as you discover a wealth of ways to share His wisdom as you talk, walk, lie down and rise up with your children (Deut. 6:6-9).
Author Bio: Deborah is the wife of Gale Towles who preaches for the State Line Church of Christ in Charlotte, NC. Gale and Deborah have been married 42 years. They have four children and twenty grandchildren. She can be reached at dtowles419@gmail.com.
