Integrity

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  Luke 16:10 (NIV)

In a world where people will do and say anything to get ahead in life, we’ve been called to be a people of integrity.   Integrity is not perfection.  It’s simply knowing what is right and wrong and choosing to do what is right even when it might cost us everything.  C.S. Lewis defined integrity as “doing the right thing, even when no one is watching”.   Notice neither definition quantifies the act.  It doesn’t matter if it’s something the world would normally deem as being very little – like taking some paper and pens from work, for personal use at home, or if it’s the world’s idea of much – like infidelity.  Why do you think most prenuptial agreements state the lost of everything if the spouse is caught cheating?  It’s a much act.  If that person is dishonest with much, how can the other person ever trust them with anything else again – even when it’s very little?

In our scripture for today, Jesus is very clear.  He is saying that we can only be trusted when we are trustworthy in everything – little or much – big or small – when no one is watching and when it may cost us everything.  Do not be fooled.  Make no mistake.  If the sin that caused us to be dishonest with that one little thing is not dealt with, it will eventually cause us to be dishonest with much more things.

Today let us think integrity.  If we have been dishonest, let us now repent.  Set things right.  Then let us move forward, determined to handle everything the right way with sincerity and honesty – with integrity.