September 6: “Protect One of Your Most Valued Possessions – Your Integrity”

3 Minute Read + Scripture readings

TODAY’S BIBLE READING:

Song of Songs 1:1-4:16
2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Psalm 50:1-23
Proverbs 22:22-23

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

2 Corinthians 8:19-21 (CSB): “And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gracious gift that we are administering for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We are taking this precaution so that no one will criticize us about this large sum that we are administering. Indeed, we are giving careful thought to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people.”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In 2 Corinthians 8:19, we read that the Apostle Paul was carrying a large financial gift from the Macedonian churches to the poor saints in Jerusalem. The saints in Jerusalem were being (financially, etc,) persecuted for their faith and so Christians in other countries wanted to give to help them.

But Paul knew the sinfulness of the human heart. Paul knew of the precious financial gift that they were carrying and the incredible worthy cause for which it was given. The money needed to be protected.

But it wasn’t just the money that needed to be protected. The guys traveling with that money needed to be protected from even the appearance of evil. Because it’s quite possible that every penny could end up in the hands of the Jerusalem saints and yet there might be some who would allege that some money was taken – even when it wasn’t.

So Paul, in our Verses for Today, noted that he had taken extra precautions to protect the money and the integrity of everyone traveling with that money.

APPLICATION

While we should not be consumed with what others think about us and what we are doing, we must take precautions to protect our integrity. If we lose our integrity (at least in the perceptions of those around us), then what we still maintain doesn’t really matter much.

So if you are handling someone else’s money, take precautions to protect the money and your integrity.

If you are meeting with someone of the opposite gender, take precautions to protect your integrity and the integrity of the one you are meeting with. (Have a third person present.)

If you are overseeing someone else’s little children, take precautions to protect the children and your integrity. (Have another person present.)

Just as the Apostle Paul saw fit to take precautions to protect his integrity, so must we do the same.