Integrity is Integral

A real estate broker who claimed to be a Christian said, ‘I don’t always tell potential buyers facts that might influence their decision negatively. If I were totally honest, I’d never make a sale!’ How we conduct our business shows how we worship God through our work. As businessmen, we might argue that when operating in the world, we have to play by the world’s rules. But Job was a very successful man who was also blameless and upright at the same time. To Job, his integrity was worth more than all of his gold, possessions and market ratings.

Some of us do have to decide to stop living a double life, as devout Christians on Sunday and secular businessmen on Monday. This commitment requires complete honesty. We might miss out on some contracts by being honest, but in the process, will gain a reputation as people with integrity and clients will return with new projects, confident of a work well-done and delivered on time, as promised.

Can our integrity and high moral standards distinguish our businesses from other enterprises? Integrity is about doing what is right rather than what is expedient. Socrates said, ‘The greatest way to live with honour in this world is to be what we pretend to be.’ Every Christian businessman or professional must decide whether to build upon the solid rock of integrity or on the shifting sands of the world. Our work should be the epitome of integrity.

When Job was struck by Satan, he could not hold onto his gold or possessions but only to his integrity. We are in the midst of a materialistic world today where the focus is profit and income at any cost, even if it means compromising our morals and integrity. If we compromise, then how can we honour and worship God through our work?

Job understood that riches could fail him, as it happened to him, but the Lord never would. Our objective is not just to make money but to honour God and worship Him through our work by being persons of integrity.

Lord, grant me grace to walk with integrity and honesty. Amen