Day 18: Integrity

2 Corinthians 8:20-21 (ESV)
We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

Reflect

In this passage Paul is talking about his concerns of how a generous gift was given to help the poor Christians of Judea.  He wants to avoid any potential criticism or blame regarding this gift.  He wants to make sure that they are acting with honesty and integrity.

How does this passage relate to the church today? As a church it is very important to act with honesty and integrity. The church must be wise and discerning where they should distribute charitable donations. It is important to pray and listen to God about where He would like for the Church to give His money. It’s also important to have accountability, so we can avoid criticism and temptations that go outside of God’s will and what He is asking the church to do with certain funds.

I love the transparency of CTK Church. The church is open and honest about what God has laid on their hearts and how they plan to move forward in faith and act in obedience. They pray as a team and as a congregation. Then, they present to the church any missions, outreaches, or expenses that God has laid on their heart to give to. As a congregation we are blessed to be able to join in prayer and see the fruit of the distributed funds. I love how they share the fruit of generously giving. For example, if you give to and support the Youth Auction Dinner, the Build the Church campaign in Guatemala, VBS, local and international missions, and many other outreaches the church supports, then the church shares the impact—showing how lives were impacted by your giving. You see pictures, hear testimonies, we hear updates and see lives transformed. I believe this is a great way to earn trust and show integrity.  It’s also a great way to be held accountable before man and before the Lord.  

I love this passage because it also helps me to look at my own life and evaluate how I am doing in this department.  I can pray and ask God where I am being loyal and trustworthy and where I can improve. I know that the way I live my life and how I handle the gifts of money and time represents Jesus. This passage gives me the opportunity to reflect and ask myself if people see Jesus in me. Are my actions – actions of integrity and honesty? Does my action prove myself as a trustworthy person? I know as a Christian my behaviors and actions are always being watched whether I know it or not. I must ask myself whether believers and non-believers are watching a person that is transparent and honest, or a phony and fake. I want to live a life that brings people to Jesus and not push them away from Him. If my actions are not actions of honesty, I will not represent Christ well, and it will be a lot harder to make heaven crowded! I believe in the expression behavior of, “caught not taught”. I want my family, friends, and all people around me to see behaviors of loving Jesus with my whole heart and soul and know that I can be trusted to live a life of integrity. 

Food for Thought

• How does financial integrity—both personal and within the church—affect our witness to others about who Jesus is?
• Are there areas in your life (money, time, or influence) where God may be asking you to grow in transparency and accountability?
• What are some practical ways you can reflect Christ’s integrity in decisions others may never see—but God always does?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the ways you have blessed us as individuals and as a church. May You always guard our hearts and let our lives and actions be a life of honesty and integrity even when it is hard. Help us when temptation comes our way, help us to always live a life that represents You well, with a pure and an honest heart. I pray we seek You in all the ways we handle the gift of money and time. Thank you, Jesus, we love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen

Submitted by: Angela Locke