Do not take undue advantage of others

Posted on Aug. 13, 2025, 7:42 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre

Undue advantage can be described as gaining unfair benefit through an improper means. A benefit that results from unfair action or inaction that turns to one’s advantage. It is gaining something unfairly at the expense of others. The Bible warns against taking advantage of others. “Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.” (Lev.25:17) Jesus Christ also frowns at taking undue advantage of others. He overturned the table of the money changers who were charging unfair prices for animals in the temple. The money changers were taking advantage of the sincerity of those who came to offer sacrifice. Sacrifices were made available but money had to change hand. (Matt.21:12) Apostle Paul expresses the ungodliness in taking advantage of others when he strongly defended himself and his companion against the suspicion of the brethren in Corinth. He explained to them how he has not burdened or take advantage of them. (2 Cor.11:8-9) He was prompted to directly asked them, “Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?” (2 Cor.12:17) David sparing King Saul on two occasions displays good example of someone who does not take undue advantage of others. (1 Sam.24:4-7, 26:7-10) Despite the fact that King Saul has been after David to kill him, David refused to take advantage of the opportunity available to him to kill King Saul on two occasions. He instead expressed the fear of God in obedience to God’s will. Taking advantage of others is sin because it is against God’s will. (Lev.25:17) It shows lack of respect and fear of God. It is also a sign of lack of integrity. David would have gained unfairly if he had killed King Saul in his deep sleep. Despite the fact that God had rejected Saul as king over His people, David expressed the fear of God by his show of respect for the anointing of God over king Saul. Jesus condemned the activities of the money changers for their lack of integrity and the fear of God. While the nature of the world is to strive to take undue advantage of his fellow men, believers as followers of Christ are to obey God’s word and emulate the character of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” (1 Thessalonians. 4:6) Brethren, while the Bible passage is a warning call to keep away from immoral sextual activities in marriage which also is an act of taking undue advantage of others, the scripture concluded that the Lord is the avenger of all such. It means that God will take revenge for such offenses. This is a warning call to you and me, to repent and stop the act of taking undue advantage of others. We all know the ways by which we take advantage of others, let us henceforth fear the righteous judgement of God, and begin to express the love of God to others instead of taking advantage of them. The Bible says, “He who have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt.11:15) Evangelism Do not take advantage of the lost, tell them the truth and point them to Jesus Christ. He is waiting to receive them. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre