One of the topics I am most passionate about is Integrity. Considerable damage has been done to the “Christian” brand due to Christians not living up to the high standards that we are called to. When we act without integrity we damage the Body of Christ.
Let’s look at God’s word:
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37
Simple, but great advice. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver on. If you are unsure, say no. Here are two more great verses from the Book of Proverbs:
He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.
Proverbs 10:9
When we walk with integrity we walk securely or put another way, when you do business with integrity your business is much more likely to last. Integrity keeps you in business.
Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight.
Proverbs 11:1
When you sign a contract for a set dollar amount for a particular product or service, is that what the customer ultimately gets? When we make commitments to provide a particular product or service we must deliver accordingly.
Integrity in the real world
In business the vast majority of issues are black and white and really should require little thought. Occasionally some matters are less clear and you should ask God and seek the counsel of others about what is the best path to take. It is generally prudent to take the more conservative route. Ask the question ‘how would I feel if this issue was splashed over the front page of the newspaper?’
Sometimes this will mean tough decisions that on face value don’t bring the desired business result, but there is one thing for certain, God can bless someone who walks with integrity. What may look like a loss today, or opportunity foregone can be easily made up in the future.
What does integrity look like?
- Doing what we say – choose your words carefully, they matter.
- If you’re in doubt about whether you can do what somebody is asking – then don’t commit to it.
- Put things in writing (i.e. contractual) to remove doubts and remove the ‘he said, she said’ discussions.
The Truth…
In my experience doing the right thing can cost you, at least in the short-term, but in the vast majority of cases it will be a long-term blessing.
When I was growing up, my father built a successful career within one of the largest financial businesses in the world today. A more Senior Executive once told him “Graham, you will never make it to the top because you are too ethical”. Despite this comment, my Father did make it to the top and held a number of CEO roles for large financial institutions managing billions of dollars. It was a good reminder that you don’t need to compromise to get to the top.
We live in a fallen world. Doing the right thing may put you offside with other employees or even your boss, but you will be rewarded in heaven. Keep in mind, people love doing business with those they can trust. You will inevitably do well in business, when people realize that you are someone they can count on.
Integrity when tested provides you with testimonies that you can share. Let me give you an example from my first stockbroking job, where I worked for a small stockbroking firm in Sydney. One day I got a call from a client who said I have some ‘inside information’ about a particular company and I want you to buy me $50,000 of this company. In most countries it is illegal to buy securities if you have ‘inside information’, that is information that is not known to the general public and is likely to influence the share price. I politely refused to take his order because he told me that he had information that he could not trade with.
Well he went ballistic to say the least and demanded to speak to my boss. He spoke with my boss, who didn’t share my same ethical concerns (let alone legal ones), and he took the order. My boss came and spoke to me, and respected my decision even though he personally didn’t care.
What was most interesting was when I left the firm and asked for a reference. One of the lines on the reference was about how I had impeccable integrity despite the significant pressures of the job.
We don’t always perform well with our integrity when under pressure, but it is perhaps the best opportunity to show true Christian faith in action. You may or may not be rewarded for it in this life, but you most certainly will in heaven!
To Encourage You
I love this passage:
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
God can strengthen you. At some point we are all faced with tough situations, but rather than comprising your values, instead draw upon the strength that can only come from the Lord.