Did you realize that modern-day 'corporate' contracts are a violation of biblical principle?

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GaryA

Truth, Honesty, Love, Courage
Aug 10, 2019
9,252
4,045
113
mywebsite.us
#1
Matthew 5:

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.


Anything more than simple honest agreement and a handshake is "stepping over the line"...
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,859
13,463
113
#2
Contracts merely put in writing the agreements that are made. There is nothing wrong with having the details spelled out; paper and ink do a more reliable (and accountable) job of remembering than gray matter. Although you may operate in good faith as a Christian, the other person may not. Jesus told His followers to be shrewd among unbelievers (Matthew 10:16, NIV); it's just good sense and wisdom to commit to the accountability of a contract, and to require it of others. If you're an honest and righteous person, the contract only documents what you were going to do anyway. In that sense it is no different than a spoken "Yes, yes" or "No, no".
 
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SophieT

Guest
#3
And? I am somewhat perplexed that they would be anything but of the world. We however, are IN the world, but not OF it. I know I would not want to just give a handshake for most things these days and that includes buying a house.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,427
6,657
113
#4
I believe if you check the Commentaries Bro. Gary, you will have a more clear picture of this verse.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:33-37 There is no reason to consider that solemn oaths in a court of justice, or on other proper occasions, are wrong, provided they are taken with due reverence. But all oaths taken without necessity, or in common conversation, must be sinful, as well as all those expressions which are appeals to God, though persons think thereby to evade the guilt of swearing. The worse men are, the less they are bound by oaths; the better they are, the less there is need for them. Our Lord does not enjoin the precise terms wherein we are to affirm or deny, but such a constant regard to truth as would render oaths unnecessary.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
But let your communication be yea, yea,.... That is, let your speech, in your common conversation, and daily business of life, when ye answer to anything in the affirmative, be "yea"; and when ye answer to anything in the negative, "nay": and for the stronger asseveration of the matter, when it is necessary, double these words; but let no oaths be joined unto them: this is enough; a righteous man's yea, is yea, and his no, is no; his word is sufficient. Hence it appears, that our Lord is here speaking of rash swearing, and such as was used in common conversation, and is justly condemned by him. The Jews have no reason to reject this advice of Christ, who often use and recommend the same modes of expression. They endeavour to raise the esteem of their doctors and wise men, by saying, that their words, both in doctrines and dealings with men, are "yea, yea" (y). One of their (z) commentators on the word "saying", in, Exodus 20:1 makes this observation;

These two examples show that the Verse is referring to "EVERY DAY" conversations between men. Not Legal Contacts or some such that is required by Law. We are taught to obey the Law of man for the glory of God.

God bless, hope you have a blessed New Year!
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,180
113
#5
well yes
but also getting married could be evil too as people need to take vows and then frequently break them.

Treaties are often biased according to whoever wrote the treaty.

A gentlemens agreement is ideal, but most men arent 'gentlemen'

and most workplaces there is a hierarchy with people at the top not trusting people down below. Otherwise we would all be paid the same.

But thing is God does pay everyone the same, unlike in the world. The thing is originally God GAVE people land he didnt make people BUY pieces of it....
 
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SophieT

Guest
#6
well yes
but also getting married could be evil too as people need to take vows and then frequently break them.

Treaties are often biased according to whoever wrote the treaty.

A gentlemens agreement is ideal, but most men arent 'gentlemen'

and most workplaces there is a hierarchy with people at the top not trusting people down below. Otherwise we would all be paid the same.

But thing is God does pay everyone the same, unlike in the world. The thing is originally God GAVE people land he didnt make people BUY pieces of it....

Ha

Don't pay your taxes and you will see who really owns it

Can't take any of it with us anyway.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#7
I find it odd that God made covenants with man. Yet says we should not do this?
 
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SophieT

Guest
#8
I find it odd that God made covenants with man. Yet says we should not do this?
Well are you referring to 'don't swear on anything but let your yes be yes and your no, no?'

A contract and covenant ... not the same

Hopefully when we become Christian, we no longer fall short of what we say we will do. Yet we do.

Good thing God keeps His end of things.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
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#9
When asked to foreswear, it is often legal to simply say "I affirm to tell the truth." (at least in the U.S.).
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#10
Well are you referring to 'don't swear on anything but let your yes be yes and your no, no?'

A contract and covenant ... not the same

Hopefully when we become Christian, we no longer fall short of what we say we will do. Yet we do.

Good thing God keeps His end of things.
A covenant is a contract

god made a contract with isreal. It’s called the mosaic covenant
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#11
I find it odd that God made covenants with man. Yet says we should not do this?
Staying in a covenant relationship with God is the whole point of this. It is the world that we are not to covenant with...

2 Corinthians
6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
 
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SophieT

Guest
#12
A covenant is a contract

god made a contract with isreal. It’s called the mosaic covenant

Yeah ok. There are several covenants. Christians have a covenant with God too.

A contract is an agreement between parties while a covenant is a pledge. A covenant is an agreement you can break while a covenant is a perpetual promise. You seal a covenant while you sign a contract. A contract is a mutually beneficial relationship while a covenant is something you fulfill. here
 
Nov 15, 2020
1,897
362
83
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
#13
A corporation has only one goal, to make a profit. Try telling an atheist boss not to work on the Sabbath and see what happens.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,777
13,136
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#14
Anything more than simple honest agreement and a handshake is "stepping over the line"...
The world has no idea about biblical principles. And because of the way the world is structured, a properly worded contract is almost essential in most transactions.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,281
6,567
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#15
Matthew 5:

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.


Anything more than simple honest agreement and a handshake is "stepping over the line"...
Let your yay be yay and your nay be nay, anything beyond this would be a boast.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,885
13,205
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#16
A covenant is a contract

god made a contract with isreal. It’s called the mosaic covenant
it sure included a lot of stipulations, clauses, detailed explanation and potential penalties, too.
if you print out all the terms of this contract with Israel it's a couple of books worth of pages.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,885
13,205
113
#17
Let your yay be yay and your nay be nay, anything beyond this would be a boast.
if i say 'yes, i swear this or that, yes' then i give the impression that if i hadn't added the oath, you couldn't trust my 'yes' all by itself.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#18
it sure included a lot of stipulations, clauses, detailed explanation and potential penalties, too.
if you print out all the terms of this contract with Israel it's a couple of books worth of pages.
yep

in fact it is still being fulfilled today
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,180
113
#19
what if you said 'yea, nah'

or...wait.

most people are undecided and on the fence. I dunno. What say you? I'll just do what everyone else does.
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
1,134
205
63
#20
Matthew 5:

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.


Anything more than simple honest agreement and a handshake is "stepping over the line"...
Confessions of Faith, Creeds, and church memberships are contracts. What do you say about these things?