FINANCIAL INTEGRITY
Proverbs 16:8 (GNT) It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained.
In this world today where people are so desirous to become wealthy, many have become dishonest. They are prepared to do anything for as long as it brings money to them. There are some who kill, lie, cheat and deceive all for the sake of money. They do not care how much it will affect the other person – as long as they get money.
We live in a world now where financial integrity is seriously lacking. If someone drops their money by mistake, the one who picks it up just behind or next to them sees a miracle. Or if someone forgets their phone in a taxi or bus by mistake, the one who picks it up quickly switches it off. Their next and immediate action is to get a buyer for it; never mind that they saw the person who forgot it.
If someone is buying something over the counter and the teller mistakenly gives them more money as change than they ought, they regard that as a financial breakthrough. In this day, someone can be given a car, fridge, television set so they repair it. That person will deliberately do a shoddy job and demand payment in full – knowing fully well that they didn’t fix the problem that they ought to have attended to.
Then there are those who do fix-and-supply jobs – these include electricians, plumbers, painters and many others. Someone may require electricity installation, plumbing or painting services for their house.
Some individuals come up with an exaggerated bill of quantities, knowing fully well that when the job is complete, they will take away some of the materials without the client’s knowledge. They just take advantage of the fact that the client doesn’t understand the technical terms of some of the materials required.
I could go on and tell you about those who steal materials from their employer for sale. They argue that an ox that treads mustn’t have its mouth muzzled. It should feed from the wheat that it treads. But this essentially points towards a lack of financial integrity among men, driven by a lack of a fear of the Lord.
The word “integrity” is from the root word “integer” (which many of us leant in Ordinary level Mathematics). We learnt that an integer is a whole number. Thus, integrity refers to wholeness, completeness – lacking nothing in terms of one’s personality. Integrity can also be defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
When it comes to financial management and dealings, you ought to exhibit integrity at a personal level. Start with how you deal with money in your home. Be honest with your spouse, your parents or siblings. Translate the same virtue into the public space – at the workplace, in business, at Church and in the wider community.
At times you may find yourself appearing to be left behind, or backward. You may see those who get money through dishonest and unscrupulous means seemingly making it in life. Don’t be moved. Resist the temptation to join them. Remember, “It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained” (Proverbs 16:8, GNT).
Some Bible versions put it this way, Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest (Proverbs 16:8, NLT). Your salvation is more important than worldly gain. Jesus once said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36, NKJV). In your financial dealings with other people, keep doing that which is right.
While money accumulated through dishonest means may seem to prosper someone, the truth is it is only but temporary. It won’t last forever. Proverbs 10:2 (MSG) says, “ill-gotten wealth gets you nowhere; an honest life is immortal.” Proverbs 21:6 (TLB) says, “Dishonest gain will never last, so why take the risk?”. Let any money that comes to you be through honest hard work.
If you are a child of God, know that God has blessed you in all things. Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,. That blessing has the power to cause you to prosper financially.
You do not need to cheat or deceive or break any law for you to gain money or be rich. That blessing is all you need. Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV) The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
Wherever you are and in whatever you do, be honest in dealing with money. Never cheat or lie to anybody. Never misrepresent facts. Never seek to gain in a manner that is beyond what is rightly due unto you. Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you, even if the circumstances seem to present it to you as an opportunity.
Culture yourself to live honestly and uprightly concerning money. Your Father in Heaven will be pleased with you.
Pastor Somandla Ndlovu
Resident Pastor – Bethel Ministries International Church
somainzim@gmail.com