‘The integrity of the upright guides them.’ Proverbs 11:3
The word
integrity derives from the word integer, a mathematical term for a whole number
as opposed to a fraction. So when you walk in integrity, that means you tell
the whole truth and not just a fraction of it. That’s why we take an oath in
court to tell ‘the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’. Why do we
slant the truth, embellish it, and tell half-truths? Sometimes it’s for
financial gain, other times it’s for social advantage. Sometimes it’s to hide
our actions, other times it’s to avail ourselves of certain benefits.
Jacob,
whose name meant ‘trickster’, conspired with his mother and deceived his father
into giving him the birthright of the firstborn - twice as much of their
father’s inheritance which rightfully belonged to his older brother Esau. And
Jacob paid dearly for it. He spent the next fourteen years as a fugitive
working for his father-in-law, who was an even bigger and better cheat than
Jacob.
Finally, in
despair, Jacob had an encounter with God and heard these words: ‘I am with you
and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done
what I have promised you’ (Genesis 28:15 NIV). That day Jacob’s
value system changed, and the taker became a giver. He told God, ‘Of all that
you give me I will give you a tenth’ (v. 22). And after that
God blessed him beyond his wildest dreams. He returned home after many years
with a beautiful family, great riches, and a new name: Israel
The truth
is, integrity pays dividends every time. Why? Because God guarantees it.
No comments:
Post a Comment