In medieval England, there were laws that a loaf of bread must be priced in ratio to the amount of wheat and ingredients it took to produce it. If there were a discrepancy, the baker would be fined or publically flogged, but it was difficult for the baker to judge the value of each loaf. Many of them didn’t have scales to weigh it, and it was difficult to make them all the same size. So to preserve their reputation and protect themselves from a beating the bakers would always throw in a bit extra for self-preservation. This is how the “baker’s dozen” originated, which is thirteen, not twelve. The paranoid bakers went as far as fourteen to the dozen just to be safe. Leviticus, on the other hand, says honesty works both ways: be fair to the producer, be fair to the buyer. Don’t let greed get in the way. This is an equal measure, but have you ever noticed how Jesus and the New Testament writers often tip the scales: love your enemies, always forgive, if someone sues you in court give them more, go two miles not one, esteem others better than yourself, overcome evil with good. To many, this is a shocking list, but it’s the way heaven works. The motivation is the love of God not the fear of a beating! It’s not easy but if we want to change the world let’s tip the scales and follow in the footprints of Jesus!

Father, may your love rule in my heart, your thoughts in my mind, and your attitudes in my emotions. Help me to tip the scales on earth today as you consistently tip them towards us from heaven. Help me to give out hope like it was candy from my pocket. Amen.