Disclosure Decency

 “But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!’ Otherwise I would have dealt falsely against my own life. For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.”” II Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Today, business relationships without clearly documented disclosure deals are simply dead on arrival. Whereas, in the days of king David, words of command to his commanders were taken as sufficient business deal, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom”. And the charge was respected by the foot soldiers until the commander Joab intervened with his personal disrespect to the deal. Notwithstanding, it was commendable that someone could uphold the integrity of keeping the decency of a disclosure deal, against personal reward or monetary inducement. Disclosure decency in the family, business, and all engagement affairs is about building trust in relationships. And while the world of unbelievers would explore the extent of oath swearing and evil covenant convocation in order to enforce disclosure decency, the scriptures teach believers to abide simply by “…let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭37‬). It is important to note that without Joab’s disrespect to the disclosure deal with king David, God’s will of destroying Absalom could still have been perfected. Unfortunately, and like Joab, many believers would readily engage in disclosure deceit than decency for personal inducement with opportunities and privileges.