The importance of integrity

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Song of Songs 1:1–4:16 
2 Corinthians 8:16-24 
Psalm 50:1-23 
Proverbs 22:22-23

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

2 Corinthians 8:20–21 "We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In 2 Corinthians 8:19, we read that the Apostle Paul was carrying a large financial gift from the Macedonian churches to the poor saints in Jerusalem. The saints in Jerusalem were being (financially, etc,) persecuted for their faith and so Christians in other countries wanted to give to help them.

But Paul knew the sinfulness of the human heart. Paul knew of the precious financial gift that they were carrying and the incredible worthy cause for which it was given. The money needed to be protected. 

But it wasn't just the money that needed to be protected. The guys traveling with that money needed to be protected from even the appearance of evil. Because it's quite possible that every penny could end up in the hands of the Jerusalem saints and yet there might be some who would allege that some money was taken – even when it wasn't.

So Paul, in our Verses for Today, noted that he had taken extra precautions to protect the money and the integrity of everyone traveling with that money.

APPLICATION

While we should not be consumed with what others think about us and what we are doing, we must take precautions to protect our integrity. Because if we lose our integrity, we lose so much more!

So if you are handling someone else's money, take precautions to protect the money and your integrity. 

If you are meeting with someone of the opposite gender, take precautions to protect your integrity and the integrity of the one you are meeting with.

If you are overseeing someone else's little children, take precautions to protect the children and your integrity. 

Just as the Apostle Paul saw fit to take precautions to protect his integrity, so must we do the same.