I would like to share four aspects of financial integrity: 1. When I worked as a room service waiter, the other waiters told me not to report all my tips or it would tip off the IRS that all the other waiters were cheating! On more than one occasion I’ve been urged to falsify loan information on real estate deals, being assured, “Everyone does it.” Since we live in that kind of world, our financial integrity as Christians will stand out and give us opportunities to testify to the transforming power of the gospel. In 1980, the IRS estimated that it lost up to $26 billion a year in unreported taxes. God’s Word is clear:Ī Christian must act with integrity in financial dealings.
589) states, “Integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.” If you take that definition strictly, no one has integrity, because no one is incapable of being corrupted. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (, p. It means acting according to biblical principles, even if you think you’ll never get caught, because you know that God is watching and you want to please Him. Integrity in money matters has to do with being honest and upright when no one is looking. The English have a saying, “A gentleman is one who uses the butter knife when he is alone.” In other words, what someone does when no one is looking indicates their true character. But God wants His people marked by financial integrity. Integrity in money matters is a rare thing. “We’re going to decide this case on its own merits.” “Make out a check for $5,000 and send it to the second lawyer,” he said. The judge looked at the two checks, thought a moment, then called his secretary. The second lawyer’s check was for $15,000. The first lawyer had sent a check for $10,000. When he received the briefs from the two lawyers, they both contained bribes. Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.A story is told about a not-too-honest judge who was trying a case involving two railroads. Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Colorado Springs, Colorado: International Bible Society.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. God wants us to have Job’s mentality through it all, though. Talk about life: Life will be challenging. Read Job 2:3-10… This is a man who maintained integrity even though he was basically put through Hell on Earth.Īsk about turning to God: If God let Satan do anything to you to negatively affect your life on Earth to test your faith and integrity, would you turn away from God? This is a reminder to me to stay honest, stay pure and have integrity. Remind yourself to be this way all of the time. Are you willing to be honest in every relationship and everything you do?Ĭhallenge: I challenge you to be consistent with everyone, being honest and express your integrity to them. Talk about honesty: To have integrity, you need to be honest. What does it mean to you?Īsk about how we can affect others: How can our example of honesty and integrity affect others? How can our example affect others if we are not honest? We need to choose to live so that our thoughts and behaviors are always in harmony with the gospel.Īsk about your own actions: What do you do when no one is watching? Do you live by your morals everywhere you go? Do you ‘seem’ to live to follow your morals at school and home? When you have integrity, you are willing to live by your beliefs and standards when no one is watching. persecution, harm in our reputation, backlash). Talk about what integrity means: Basically, Integrity means to think and do what is right at all times, no matter what the potential consequences may be (ex. we are told to be selfless: encourage, give, lead, show mercy and do it cheerfully…so do it!ĭefine Sincerity (Bible Dictionary): acting or speaking without hypocrisy.ĭefine Integrity (Simple Definition): doing good things when no one is lookingĭefine Integrity (Another Definition): Being honest with God, ourselves and others We must understand the fullness of it then.ĭefine Integrity (online dictionary): 1) adherence to moral and ethical principles, soundness of moral character honesty 2) the state of being whole, entire, or undiminishedĭefine Integrity (Bible Dictionary): see simplicity or sincerity (synonyms)ĭefine Simplicity (Bible Dictionary): without self-seeking, selfless Talk about integrity : Integrity matters to God.
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