INTEGRITY
The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
Proverbs 11:1
For some time, David Green struggled with knowing how he could glorify God while chasing down dollar signs. His father was a pastor, his two brothers also became pastors, two of his sisters married pastors and the third became an evangelist.
When he made is first, big financial gift of $30,000 it was then that he realized the contribution he could make in doing something for Christ through being a businessman. Green came to the conclusion that “God is not averse to business, he’s not just a Sunday Deity and he understands margins, spreadsheets, competition and profits”.
From then on, David Green used his business, Hobby Lobby, to glorify God by exhibiting financial integrity and good stewardship. Even when others around him urged him to take his company public he refused, determined to maintain freedom to use the business profits as his family chose; this enabled him to run holiday ads revealing the true meaning behind certain holidays (Christmas, Easter and Independence Day), fund a hospital in Haiti and support homeless shelters.
The Ultimate in Integrity
When you choose to be a businessman for God, you are raising yourself to a higher standard of financial integrity. Why? We are to be an example for others. We are to live each day walking in the footsteps of our Savior.
By exhibiting financial integrity we demonstrate that money is a tool and is fundamentally good. It is man that corrupts money. It is our greed, selfishness, desires and lusts that takes a tool that allows us the opportunity to do good and twists it into something evil.
Money provides us with many opportunities to glorify God. Through investment and expansion we demonstrate the quality of stewardship. Financial independence allows us to reveal God’s sovereignty and wisdom. We can also show God’s mercy and love through our giving and support of the Gospel.
As a Christian businessman, financial integrity becomes so much more than trying to win customers’ trust. It becomes more than trying to promote yourself. It is about becoming a vessel for Jesus Christ.
You become an individual whom God can reveal Himself through.
You have to become someone who is above reproach. You need to be someone who is transparent. To be in partnership with God in your business, you need to become the ultimate in integrity. Through God’s grace and strength, He can help you achieve this.
- “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9).
- “Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse” (Proverbs 19:1).
- “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
- “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10).
What Does It Mean for your Business?
Financial integrity begins with a recognition of where your wealth comes from, who it really belongs to and how you can implement this stewardship. All that we have and all we will ever be is by the grace of God. In return, He expects us be good stewards of what He has chosen to give us (whether it is great or small). Having strong, financial integrity in your business starts with forming a partnership with God and a commitment to seek His direction in all things.
- Budget – Construct a detailed budget and update it regularly, and be sure that you are managing your cash flow efficiently (Luke 16:11).
- Pay your taxes honestly and on time – The Bible is clear that the governing authorities in place are only able to govern because they have been instituted by God Himself. Be sure to honor the instruction to pay what you owe, whether it is taxes or debts – and on time (Romans 13:7).
- Don’t Hoard – Being thrifty is a great if not a forgotten principle, but hoarding seriously damages what God wants to do through you and your business to help others. Give a percentage back to God and be quick to give to others. Get involved in your community and charities (Proverbs 3:27, 28).
- Investment and Accountability – Investing is a Biblical concept (consider the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30). We are to be wise in the decisions we make, keeping in mind that we will be held accountable one day.
Reflection
We’re only human and we all make mistakes. Is there any part of your business life where you believe you haven’t lived up to God’s standard?
Call to Action
Repent – Take this opportunity to ask for forgiveness and to repent from any areas where you have not acted with integrity.
Restitution – Sometimes our mistakes require fixing. If your actions have had a negative impact on someone or an organization, then it may require fixing. Restitution is to put things right.