Integrity

Very Little…Very Much

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”   Luke 16:10

It’s those little things in life that either makes you or breaks you.

One of my early mentors strongly believed in speaking the truth. He had difficulty remembering anything that occurred more than 24 hours earlier. To offset his weakness, he built on his strength. He always told the truth. If you asked him a question on something that happened yesteryear, he would reply with a question. He would ask what would be the right thing to do? Being a man of integrity, he knew that is what he would have done.

The same principle applies with our faith. People with integrity will display the same behavior no matter the situation.

Ask yourself, what would it take for you to change your mind on a personal high value position?

You say you would never do (add your behavior). Pick your poison. Eat liver (my poison). Sex with a stranger. Kill your neighbor. Doesn’t matter the act. The question is how much money would you accept to change your mind? If you were guaranteed one million dollars, would you do it? Not enough you say? How about One hundred million dollars? If that is not enough, then what is your price?

We either stand on principle or not. We either are true to our beliefs, or not. Most of us are not aware what we would do until we are actually confronted with the situation. But if we are honest with ourselves, we can identify those areas where we would die for our beliefs. If we are not willing to die for something, than we having yet discovered something worth living for.

Jesus statement hits the heart of the matter. Your character confirms your beliefs. Your actions when true display your beliefs. But if your character doesn’t uphold your beliefs, do you actually believe it?

If you are faithful in the little things, your character muscle is being exercised into a habit. When the larger challenges appear, your character is already programmed to respond. The same when you are dishonest in the little things. Your character muscle is being exercised into a habit. So lying is being built into your character. When faced with a larger obstacle, your natural inclination is now programmed to lie.

Life is in the details. Build your life on solid values. In this case, let faithfulness and honesty support you in the larger challenges. Those little things in life will make you or break you. Yes, your character is the backbone of your life. This is one reason why Jesus is your best mentor.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Integrity

Dr. Mike Life Tools , ,

Proverbs 28:6

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

There are generally at least three types of authority in this world. Positional authority, expertise authority, and moral authority.

Positional authority is temporary. Your role as a supervisor, CEO, parent, or community leader is given for you to serve others. The authority you have is yours only because of the position you hold.

Expertise authority will last longer. Your knowledge of computers, your skill set to solve problems, repair automobiles, and build houses places you in the position of being an expert at your craft. People who take their natural abilities and develop skills upon their natural abilities, gain expertise in their field of study and become experts. They gain authority by their expertise.

Moral authority is yours for your entire life. People will follow you because of the fruit in your life. You may have position, be poor, lack knowledge in anything useful or practical, but your life enriches others simply by the way you live. Moral authority is built upon integrity. Doing what is right all the time even if it costs you. Whether or not someone is watching, people with integrity surround themselves with shields of conscience godliness. Integrity gives you moral authority.

You can build a successful career by exercising positional or expertise authority. However, without moral authority, your path will be short lived. Moral authority allows you to sustain yourself for the long term. People with integrity in the marketplace maintain relationships that helps each other grow for the long term. People without integrity slowly find themselves without associates who are willing to risk working with them because of the distrust of prior experiences.

Integrity is the backbone and foundation for a fulfilling life. Integrity demands the exercise of character. If you want a mate or friend with character, that you can trust and build a life around, analyze the fruit of their character. How do they manage in a crisis? What are they like when no one is watching? How do they relate with others, especially those who are different than them? Do they respect authority? What are the values they live by?  When you meet a person with integrity, count it a blessing and add them to your list of associates you want to spend time traveling through life. They will make you stronger and support you in the moral authority you flame.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Living Dangerously with Integrity

Dr. Mike Business & Faith , , , ,

“Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” Proverbs 28:6 ESV

 integrity 4

In business, the temptation to earn a buck sometimes blinds us to the godly action required at the moment.

I remember one businessman who admitted to having a poor long-term memory. He had difficulty remembering events and situations after several days. His remedy? He always spoke the truth and dealt honestly with every decision he had to make. His reason? If he needed to recall what he did in any situation, he would only ask himself “what was the right thing to do?” And that would lead him to what he did. He learned to live with integrity in all his business dealings and slept very good at night. And yes, he was very successful in his business.

Another business man who finally reached a point where he could start growing his market share had difficulty in developing an advertising program that would properly brand his operation. Most of the recommendations given to him was based on image and not what his core business was all about. Then one person asked him what was his primary core value that he would emphasize with all his customers and employees. The answer: integrity. Thereafter, the successful idea led him to tripling his business. Wherever you looked, his brand was simply integrity. And he lived up to his word. He guaranteed his service. He would refund money without question. He would keep his word even if it hurts. He walk the talk.

The enemy of integrity is pragmatism. Pragmatism is simply the philosophy that whatever works is good at the end. It is situational ethics without a standard. It is focused on outcome rather than the process. It may produce short-term favorable results, but the long term ramifications are most often very unfavorable.

If you are a person of integrity, let your customers, employees, and vendors know. Not with words, but through actions. In today’s marketplace, integrity is a marketing niche that many people gravitate towards. In fact, people who champion integrity, attract other like-minded people. Those without integrity will try to take advantage of you at first. And it may cost you a few dollars in the process. But after you refrain from doing business with them, they may change their way; for money has a way of changing a person’s behavior. It may not be the Kingdom of God for them yet, but at least they can see it in action.

Meanwhile, imagine what a room full of highly motivated people with integrity could do? Wouldn’t it be fun to operate a business and find out? Some may call that dangerous living. I call it simply being radical in Christ.

We are rooting for you!

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Learn. Integrate. Grow.