Like old friends, the salesman received us warmly, offered cold bottled water, and led us to a pair of comfortable chairs. Papers lay in an orderly row across the table. We chatted about kids as we settled in. My wife and I drove across town to purchase a new vehicle, and I had been discussing the deal with the salesman for several days.

Our old Montero, which I loved, suffered a cracked engine block. Rather than pour more money into a far-gone vehicle, I decided to get something new. I checked out tons of cars, talked to salespeople, and did my research. Discovering what I wanted, I settled on this specific vehicle at this specific dealership, after a test drive and at least three phone calls to settle on the exact price.

With a twinge of excitement I reached for the pen. “Hold on just a second, I just heard something from my sales manager.” My new buddy stepped away for a few minutes, then returned with his boss. Apparently an unfortunate oversight occurred, a missed fee, hardly noticeable in the scheme of things, but the car actually costs $500 more. So sorry, here’s the new updated bill of sale.

According to my wife, my chin started to quiver, which she swears she’s only seen once or twice in our 35 years of marriage. I gnashed my teeth and sputtered my anger. The lovely greetings, the syrupy friendliness, all aimed at prying an extra $500 out of my pocket. I dropped the pen and walked out. Fortunately, my wife followed, because I left so mad I forgot about her.

No one likes to feel cheated.

The Apostle Paul scolded the church members at Corinth for cheating each other and taking one another to court. The Roman system allowed free access to the courts, and citizens embraced a litigious society. But Paul objected to believers suing one another in the pagan courts. He encouraged them to work things out among themselves, as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Paul offered this counter-cultural advice: Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.

In other words, if you happen to feel cheated sometimes, you can handle that. Rather, focus on your own business—are you cheating your brothers and sisters? Look out for those around you, and stop flailing at each other.

Paul reminds followers of Jesus that many of us were once cheats and swindlers ourselves, as well as thieves and idolators, sexually out of control, greedy and drunk and far from the kingdom of God.

Then he follows with really good news: But you were washed, your were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

No more gracious offer in all of eternity—and with no hidden fees.

1 Corinthians 6 in week thirty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Khara Woods