I've been speaking recently at our conferences on the topic of Integrity. Just this week I changed much of my talk to focus more on the theme of Integrity itself rather than using it as a precursor to engage my audience in how churches and nonprofit groups demonstrate integrity (or the lack thereof).I'm reminded me of the verse in Luke. "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much." (Luke 16:10)
I have used this verse a number of times in talking about money. It's very much in context as Luke starts off this message with Jesus teaching about the unjust steward who cooked the books in order to ingratiate himself with those who could help me after he was fired by his boss.
In talking about integrity however, I realize that it's really about being faithful in the little things.
To me, integrity is really an alignment of our character with the character of God and our behavior as a result reflects God's character.
Neat idea, the proof however is being faithful over time. Faithful in the little things.
I'm convinced that while none of us have been completely faithful, we can demonstrate integrity in all areas of our life. While many of us have a long way to go, if we start now with the little things, we'll be proven ultimately to be faithful in the big things as well.
If you are one of those people that have really failed big time some little test, take heart. God isn't done with you yet and you can start today to begin work again on becoming faithful in the little things.
I don't know why our society has seemingly become so callous that it appears most believe that integrity doesn't matter or somehow a person's character and integrity can be compartmentalized. As if a person that is unfaithful to his wife would never be unfaithful at work. Or a father that doesn't have time to be a "dad" to his young son or daughter would somehow spend the necessary time to do other right things when pressed for time.
Little things are great starting places for us. They don't take a lot of effort, just a simple alignment with those things that we know are right and true.
Thank God for the little things.
