Jy moet integriteit hê

2019-03-01
2 Korintiërs 8:21 NLV

Daar is ‘n strokiesprent wat ‘n boer uitbeeld wat besig is om sy varke se trog tot oorlopens toe vol kos te maak. Aan die bokant is daar ‘n groot kennisgewingbord wat lees, ‘Premium Spek Maatskappy.’ In die strokiesprent vra een van die varke vir die ander: ‘Het julle al ooit gewonder hoekom die boer so goed vir ons is?’ Vraag: Moet mense oor jou motiewe wonder? Hulle behoort dit nie te doen nie! Die apostel Paulus definieer integriteit as volg: ‘As broers en susters in God se huisgesin moet julle mekaar in liefde koester en voor in die ry staan om mekaar met respek te hanteer’ (Romeine 12:10 NLV). Integriteit beweeg altyd ten goede van ander. Dit glo dat as iets nie vir beide kante goed is nie, is dit nie vir enige kant goed nie. Salomo waarsku: ‘Wie arm mense verontreg om homself te verryk, of vir die rykes geskenke gee, sal self in armoede verval’ (Spreuke 22:16 NLV). As jy die diepte van jou integriteit wil toets, vra jouself die volgende af: Hoe deursigtig is jy vir ander mense? Hoe goed behandel jy mense by wie jy niks kan baat nie? Stel jy ander mense bo jou eie persoonlike agenda? Het jy mense lief en gebruik dinge, of het jy dinge lief en gebruik mense? Maak jy moeilike besluite, selfs ten koste van jouself? Wanneer jy iets oor iemand te sê het, praat jy met hulle, of oor hulle? Hierdie is belangrike vrae, so neem die tyd om hulle versigtig in gebed te oorweeg. Onthou, jy mag dalk vir ‘n oomblik sukses behaal as gevolg van wat jy weet of doen, maar jy sal slegs permanent sukses bereik as gevolg van wie jy is.

Sielskos: Eks 19-21; Luk 12:49-59; Ps 70; Spr 6:26-28

You must have integrity


2 Corinthians 8:21 NIV

There’s a cartoon depicting some hogs feeding while the farmer is busy filling their trough up to the brim. Overhead in bold letters a sign reads, “Premium Bacon Company.” In the cartoon one hog says to the others, “Have you ever wondered why the farmer is so good to us?” Question: Do people have to wonder about your motives? They shouldn’t! The apostle Paul defines integrity like this: “In honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10). Integrity always seeks the good of others. It believes that if something isn’t good for both sides, it’s not good for either side. Solomon warns, “Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich – whichever, you’ll end up the poorer for it” (Proverbs 22:16 TM). If you want to test the depth of your integrity, consider these questions: How transparent are you with others? How well do you treat people from whom you have nothing to gain? Do you assume different personas depending on who you’re with? Do you put others ahead of your own personal agenda? Do you love people and use things, or love things and use people? Do you make difficult decisions even when it costs you personally? When you have something to say about somebody, do you talk to them or talk about them? Are you accountable to anybody other than yourself? These are important questions, so take time to consider them prayerfully. And remember, you may succeed momentarily because of what you know or do, but you’ll only succeed permanently because of what you are.

Soul food: Exo 19-21; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 70; Prov 6:26-28