Steven Symes

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36-37

What is your integrity worth? Even if you’ve never contemplated this issue deeply or even at all, you internally have an answer. For some, their integrity is worth a candy bar swiped from a gas station when workers aren’t looking. Others believe theirs is worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars as they lie, cheat, and steal, deceiving and taking advantage of those closest to them in business transactions. Then there are those who will say or do anything to receive the millions which overflow bank accounts and investments, affording them some of the finer luxuries available on this planet.

But are riches worth selling your inheritance, or do they become a mess of pottage? After all, money for God is easy. His eternal wealth makes worldly mansions, exotic supercars, expensive vacations, and even the praise of the world look insignificant.

I’ve heard people say many times that people who have a lot of money got it by being dishonest. That’s a rather cynical view of the world and I believe it allows so many to justify being deceptive and underhanded themselves. After all, they rationalize it’s the only way to “get ahead.”

In fact, in my own business transactions, those who have made such claims have been some of the most dishonest people I have come across. I believe they use that belief as justification for their underhanded actions.

Even if that accusation were true, and it certainly is for a portion of the wealthy, it does not refute God’s law. I suppose if you truly don’t believe all your actions are being recorded, you also don’t believe there are consequences for lying a little and taking advantage of your spiritual siblings.

All those riches and success in this life won’t help you stand before God with a clear conscience later. In fact, those trappings brought about through dishonesty will exist as a testament against you.

If the choice really were to stand before God poor yet with integrity or rich through deception, the former would be preferable. Fortunately, most of us have more choices than that dichotomy.

Even as the Lord is mindful of the lilies in the field and each sparrow, he is keenly aware of our needs and struggles. Some people find that hard to believe because God doesn’t give them all they want or even everything they feel is needful. Just like any goodly father, He understands what we truly need and cares about our wants, while also understanding instantly giving us whatever we desire only builds entitlement, laziness, and other negative character traits.

I’ve learned the most from struggles in my life, including when people have taken advantage of me, stabbing me in the back when I trusted them. Instead of remaining in anger and bitterness, I moved into a state of realizing God, who easily could have prevented such tragedies, wants me to learn from them.

In seeking what it is He wants me to learn from such tragedies, I have grown and progressed beyond what I could have otherwise. And for that I am eternally grateful.

It certainly is better than thinking lying, cheating, stealing, and deceiving to attain money will get you ahead ultimately. All will be accounted for in the end.

Image via David Iglesias/Pexels