Dear Brothers and Sisters
For some time, I have meditated on integrity. I always explain integrity as doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Integrity is a very strong sense of honesty, trust and responsibility.
There is nothing that can destroy the trustworthiness of the Church, whether individually or collectively, as much as a lack of integrity. Our teachings and lifestyle should be outstanding examples of integrity. People without integrity, even in only one small aspect of life, are a shame and dishonour to the name of our Lord, Jesus. The body of Christ will not be in unity if we, the followers, lack integrity. There will always be conflict and disagreement. Can I call myself a follower/disciple of Jesus if I do not have integrity?
In Mathew 5:33-37, Jesus teaches us about integrity. Our words should be our honour. We should always be able to trust a follower of Jesus; therefore, His followers do not need to swear or take an oath. This teaching of Jesus corresponds with the beatitudes: Followers of Christ have a pure heart with no hidden agenda, and we hunger and thirst for what is right! If someone, for example, has been dishonest, disrespectful or irresponsible at some point, it will take a long time (if ever) to regain trust and respect and to be considered a person of integrity.
Jesus tells a parable in Mathew 25:14-30. A man entrusted his wealth (bags of gold in some translations or talents, which is a currency, in others) to his servants. Everyone received according to his capacity.
This parable is about enormous amounts of money (resources). What struck me was that the money never became the property of the servants. It will forever be the property of the Master! Their responsibility was to take care of it responsibly. Two of the servants gave the money/gold back with interest, and the owner was pleased. Does that mean the one who gave back the owner’s one bag of gold was dishonest (without integrity?) I am still struggling with this question. It brought up many questions in my mind. In which way do we handle whatever the Master entrusts us with? Do we handle our resources responsibly? Do we have integrity and take responsibility to take good care of whatever he entrusts us with to give it back to the Master with interest? He entrusts us with an income, a house (even if we must rent it), furniture, etc. How do we handle/take care of ministry money?
I am convinced that followers of Jesus would also follow His example by having integrity.
Talking about integrity, I could think of two examples of Jesus’ followers who did not have integrity: Judas (who carried the purse) and the couple Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).
I want to encourage you with the words of Paul in Phil 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Let us all live and minister with integrity to glorify and honour our Master!!
Your sister in Christ,
Dekseltjie