Saturday, January 21, 2012

Fifty Cents For Your Integrity


Nancy, a good friend of mine, was telling me about going to the movies when she was young. It cost a dollar to get in unless you were under twelve years old. Then it only cost fifty cents. When Nancy was twelve, she went to the movies. A friend encouraged her mother to say that Nancy was under twelve, because she always looked younger than her age.

Her mother looked at that friend and said, "You would sell your integrity for fifty cents?"  Nancy told me that her parents always believed in and modeled honesty and integrity in the little things as well as the big things.

What are you willing to sell your integrity for? 

A few thousand dollars on your taxes? 

Making out with your boyfriend and going way too far, thus making out with someone else's husband? 

Keeping the few cents that the cashier undercharged you? 

Telling your boss you need a day off because you are sick but you really aren't?

Telling your husband something cost $100 when it really cost $126? 

Work on your integrity in every area of your life. Be excellent in whatever you do.  Obey the laws of the government. Treat everyone with kindness and respect. Don't rob the workers of their due. Tip waiters generously. Remember, you reap what you sow!

How much are you willing to sell your integrity for?

Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 
Proverbs 19:1

For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.  
I Peter 3:10-12