It was several years after getting into the ministry that I heard a new word to me. In fact, I had no idea what it meant and had to look it up. Today that word is used a lot-sometimes referring to one who has it; sometimes referring to someone who doesn’t.

The word?

INTEGRITY

It has been defined several ways. The most common are:

• Who you are when no one’s looking
• Another word for honesty

No matter how you define it, it says the same thing. Be truthful. Be honest. Be the same in all situations.

I once read a short illustration of a young man who was interviewing for a financial position in a well-established and successful company. His interview went well. The CEO and CFO were impressed with his credentials and ability. They took a break for lunch and went to the company’s lunchroom. As they made their way through the line, the CEO saw the young man take a couple pads of butter and put them under his napkin, effectively hiding it from the cashier. He wasn’t hired.

Some might say, “That was awful petty of that CEO. It was only a couple pads of butter for crying out loud.”  But there is a biblical principle at work here that applies to life: “Faithful in little; faithful in much.” You see, if we cannot be trusted with the smallest of things/jobs/acts, we cannot be trusted with the biggest of things/jobs/acts.

Psalm 78:72 says, “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” (ESV)  Some translations use the word integrity for the word upright: “He shepherded them with integrity of heart.” Long before David became king, he was a shepherd. He cut his teeth being responsible for not-too-bright animals.

Integrity is a must-whether we are a president of a company, a pastor, a nurse, a mechanic, a student, et al. Living a life of integrity leaves no regrets.

I read this recently: Nothing weakens the truth more than stretching it. Well said.