How can we apply the principle of integrity from 2 Kings 22:7 today? Integrity on Display in 2 Kings 22:7 “ But no accounting is to be required from them for the money put into their hands, because they work with integrity.” What Integrity Looked Like Then • Skilled craftsmen received temple funds without the usual audits. • Their reputation was so solid that royal officials trusted them completely. • Integrity was visible, proven, and widely acknowledged. Why Integrity Still Matters Today • God’s standard has not changed (Psalm 15:1-2; Proverbs 10:9). • Integrity establishes credibility at home, work, and church. • It frees us from the weight of suspicion and constant oversight. Practical Ways to Live Out Integrity • Finances – Keep meticulous, open records. – Pay bills and taxes promptly (Romans 13:7). • Workplace – Deliver the full day’s work you’re paid for (Colossians 3:23-24). – Refuse to shortcut ethics for profit (Proverbs 11:1). • Digital Life – Be honest in online interactions; avoid anonymous slander. – Guard against plagiarism, piracy, and dishonest clicks. • Relationships – Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no (Matthew 5:37). – Speak truth in love, even when it costs (Ephesians 4:25). • Ministry – Handle offerings transparently (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). – Serve whether or not anyone is watching (Ephesians 6:5-8). Encouraging Examples • Joseph: managed Potiphar’s house and later Egypt with unwavering honesty (Genesis 39 & 41). • Daniel: administrators “could find no ground for complaint or any corruption” (Daniel 6:4). • Paul: “We have renounced secret and shameful ways” (2 Corinthians 4:2). Verses to Keep in Mind • Luke 16:10 — “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.” • Proverbs 20:7 — “A righteous man walks in integrity—blessed are his children after him.” • 1 Peter 2:12 — “Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles…” A Closing Challenge Carry the reputation where others instinctively trust you—so much so that, like the workers in Josiah’s day, no ledger is needed to prove your faithfulness. When integrity is lived consistently, it points people to the God who is always true. |
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