Paying Attention to Integrity

​Van closed the door to his office and invited Able to sit down.  After a few minutes of chatting, Able said he’d found a way to save the company thousands of dollars.  It involved manipulating records in order to avoid paying taxes to the IRS.  Van asked him if it was legal.  Able shifted in his chair and looked down at the plush burgundy carpet before answering. “Boss, technically this is not legal, but in researching this option I discovered from several of my friends in other companies that they do it all the time.   If we were to get audited, I could claim it was just an accounting error and I don’t think we would be penalized.”  Van rubbed his hands over his eyes and slowly exhaled his breath before answering, “Do it.”  ​

Meditation
Psalms 101:2—I will pay attention to the way of integrity.  When will You come to me?  I will live with a heart of integrity in my house.
 
Integrity means that we adhere to moral and ethical principles.  It requires honesty and wholeness of character. Van led his company with no ethical breaches for fifteen years.  In one decision with a Chief Financial Officer who knew better, that changed.  What happened?
            
Several factors can cause leaders to compromise their integrity.
1. Fatigue.  Van was tired.  Besides his 60-hour work week, he was a busy father, a church leader, an avid mountain biker and a board member for several corporations.  Coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”  Well fatigue can also contribute to poor decision making. 
2. Resentment. Van was not thinking clearly when he told Able to “Do it.” He was harboring resentment against his wife.  He was tired of the way she ignored and treated him and their marriage was in trouble.  With that resentment a pulsating message infected his thinking--I don’t deserve this.  I deserve better.  That mini monologue now transferred to his business.  
3. Pride.  With the benefits of power and prestige, Van over time became impressed with himself.  He did not like the fact that his company had to pay taxes that in his mind robbed their profitability.  He decided it was time to stick it to the IRS.  He was the boss and some foul government agency was not going to take their hard-earned funds.    
4. Insecurity.  Able had a strong personality and a knack for getting things done.  Val did not want to confront him over what seemed like a minor indiscretion.  It was easier to say yes, than to admonish Able.
5. Peer Pressure.  Able alluded to this by referencing others who acted illegally.  It is hard to go against the crowd.   
            
​Strong leaders pay attention to the way of integrity.  They resist setting aside what is correct for what is convenient, attractive, compelling, cost-saving, or pleasurable.  They don’t allow cracks in their foundation and, if a crack is identified, it is quickly sealed. God fellowships with those who walk honorably.  A house filled with truth is blessed.  So take inventory.  Identify anything that may hurt your character and eliminate or avoid it.  Live each day to honor the Father, who is perfect in all His ways.
            
Inspiration
Without integrity and honor, having everything means nothing.—Robin Sharma
 
©2019 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)