Integrity
The dictionary defines integrity as, "adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty." Moral is defined as, "of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong." We are used to seeing instances where people choose to do the wrong thing to benefit themselves. When we see examples of people exhibiting integrity it is overwhelmingly refreshing.
We are entering into tax season where all taxpayers are expected to pay a set allotment of their income. There are several opportunities within a single tax file to behave dishonestly and potentially save paying additional taxes or ensure a larger return. In your life, when you get a chance to do the right thing, do you choose integrity or do you choose to do whatever you can get away with?
In the Bible in the book of Acts, a man and wife voluntarily decided to sell some land and give it to the early church. Unfortunately they held back a part of the sale price and lied to the church leaders indicating they had given all of it. In those days, there was an awful consequence for lying in church and they both fell dead (Acts 5:1-11).
Thank God there are usually no immediate consequences for not acting with integrity today but let us resolve that no matter who is not acting rightly we will strive to do what is right and not what is simply convenient.
Please comment below and share how you decided to act with integrity in spite of the temptation to do wrong for short-term gain. It may help someone who is contemplating wrongdoing.
Acts 5:1-5
New International Version (NIV)
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.
2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God."
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
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