Integrity

Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.’

Over this last week we have looked at putting vision into action with persistence and kindness. Underpinning all of our goals and plans for 2024 should be that we act with Integrity.

In business, we build reputations that are very important for trading relationships. For example, a customer needs to trust that we are doing the job they are paying for and we as a business need to trust that that customer will clear their credit account after 30 days.

We often say in business 'It takes a lifetime to build a reputation and a moment to lose it.' For those who do build reputations of integrity, it becomes a superpower! All your actions and words are trusted and respected far more than those of other people who do not have the same reputation. It is an essential quality for those of us who are known to follow Jesus.

Just recently I agreed on a lease deal on a commercial property with a Landlord I have known for many years, simply on the basis of a handshake. Of course, the legal work followed but this handshake was a sign of trust between us. Both of us knew that if either of us reneged on the handshake, our integrity would disappear with the deal.

If you want a good test for your decisions and actions; consider Warren Buffet's instruction to all his managers: 'When they have any doubt about whether a particular decision or action is right or wrong, they should imagine how they would feel if it were reported the following day in their newspaper, with the assumption that the write-up is authored by a smart but unfriendly reporter and is read by their family, friends and neighbours.'

Perhaps along with that advice, even better, we should apply today's verse to all our actions and activities including within the family of the church! All integrity; no duplicity!

Prayer - Lord I pray that you will help me pursue righteousness and integrity in all my ways.