You Must Have Integrity by Bob & Debby Gass

You Must Have Integrity  Fri, 1 Mar 2019  ‘We are taking pains to do what is right.’ 2 Corinthians 8:21 NIV  There’s a cartoon depicting some pigs feeding while the farmer is busy filling their trough up to the brim. Overhead in bold letters a sign reads, ‘Premium Bacon Company’. In the cartoon one pig says to the others, ‘Have you ever wondered why the farmer is so good to us?’  Question: Do people have to wonder about your motives? They shouldn’t! The apostle Paul defines integrity like this: ‘In honour preferring one another.’ (Romans 12:10 KJV) Integrity always seeks the good of others. It believes that if something isn’t good for both sides, it’s not good for either side. Solomon warns, ‘A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.’ (Proverbs 22:16 NLT) If you want to test the depth of your integrity, consider these questions: How transparent are you with others? How well do you treat people from whom you have nothing to gain? Do you assume different personas depending on who you’re with? Do you put others ahead of your own personal agenda? Do you love people and use things, or love things and use people? Do you make difficult decisions even when it costs you personally? When you have something to say about somebody, do you talk to them or talk about them? Are you accountable to anybody other than yourself? These are important questions, so take time to consider them prayerfully. And remember, you may succeed momentarily because of what you know or do, but you’ll only succeed permanently because of what you are. SoulFood: Exo 19–21, Luke 12:49–59, Ps 70, Pro 6:26–28