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“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.”
Proverbs 22:1
Today, we look at the second of New Life Providence’s ten core values: integrity.
Many years ago, some large cottonwood trees in front of our home needed to be trimmed. I contacted a friend who said he would do it for $300 if I paid him in cash, or $500 if I paid him by check. He whispered to me that by paying in cash he wouldn’t have to pay taxes or workman’s comp. Later he was very open about his willingness to deceive the evil IRS, and even joked about how much money he was not reporting from his business. The question was obvious, “Would I compromise my integrity to save a few bucks?”
What is a good name? It is the name of someone (or a business or church) who has a consistent track record of being honest, dependable, and trustworthy. It is someone who delights in keeping promises even to their own hurt or loss. My father is a man who only needs to give his handshake to guarantee a business deal; his word is his bond. I know it’s old fashioned, but he would rather lose everything he has than to be considered dishonorable.
Does your integrity have a price tag? In the news, you see that truth is up for sale. Politicians, athletes, business people, educators, ministers—all compromise the truth to get something. Churches can be just as bad by manipulating financial records, gossiping about fellow members, or “framing” the truth to avoid controversy.
Integrity is the key issue to being a life-giving healthy church. Integrity is more important in a church than amazing preaching, gifts of the Spirit, leadership training, or excellent programs. You can probably grow a church (or business) more quickly by playing loose with the truth, but in the end you will have built it on shifting sand where you have neither the confidence of its durability nor the satisfaction of pleasing God.
Pastor Dan
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