I mentioned yesterday I felt there were 3 characteristics necessary in the current global economic crisis that were opposite (perhaps even an antidote) to what has been evident in the current situation : Integrity, generosity & love. So what do these terms express in relation to such a crisis.

INTEGRITY:“Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.”  Proverbs 28 vs. 6”One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.” Proverbs 28 vs. 18“The righteous walk in integrity—happy are the children who follow them!” Proverbs 20 vs 7“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.” Proverbs 10 vs 9The Bible uses the word “integrity” around 25 times – not so much considering the amount of content within the Bible! So what do we today, understand when we talk of integrity? What does it mean to be a man or woman of integrity?

According to Proverbs, integrity brings safety, happiness, security and is linked with righteousness. Today, I think we would talk in terms of honesty, upholding moral principles, a sense of consistency and transparency, and certainly lacking corruption.

However, what does it mean to have integrity in the realm of economics, with our own personal finances? Within our businesses? Within our churches?
Just type “economic integrity” into your search engine and a ‘wealth’ of websites will appear, dealing with a range of issues from consumer debt, good business practices to accountability and predatory lenders.

What does this have to do with us on the ground level?
Integrity is essential, it invokes confidence, a sense of trust from those on the receiving end. Unfortunately, I think the church has often failed in regards to its integrity. The church has become a business where it deals with the amount of bums in pews, and figures over relationship. I like what is expressed in the “Out of Ur blog”

“Sure it’s easy to shamelessly wag our finger at Wall Street bankers, traders, and lenders. Their avarice, greed, and ostentatious ways are notorious. But before we strain our finger…We’re also involved in their trades, their transactions, and the thirst for MORE. The hard reality is, we are Wall Street. We are the lenders, we are the traders, and now we are the debtors…The church is not untainted by this. I understand a need to be a healthy and purposeful church, but have we gone overboard with our focus on formulas, numbers, size, influence, marketing techniques, and branding? Have we forgotten what makes the church the church? At the end of the day, are we really driven by God’s heart? Are we really motivated by Christ’s love and not the money or the numbers?” (http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2008/11/gods_voice_amid.html#more)

Unfortunately the history of the church within society is not a good testimony, having just recently watch the film “Luther”, I was struck again, by the corruption that was portrayed. However, there were people, within these dark times that stood up for the true gospel, for justice, for righteousness and integrity. I hope, today, this season in the history of the church, that there will be more voices and characters of INTEGRITY. I pray, and hope that the church, as a body, will unite together, and stand as one voice of hope within the turmoil of current economic uncertainty…I HOPE, I PRAY… may I be one of those voices?!

Related posts:

1. In God's Economy – Generosity (part 1)
2. In God's Economy…
3. God's Economy – Safeguarding against Corruption
4. God's Economy: No Fear
5. God's Economy – Mission & Recession