Mankind is often caught up in the deception that he/ she can defy God's principles and still make it in his/ her area of pursuit. It is very easy to be puffed up by ones knowledge, wisdom and strength, yet the bible is clear that God's foolishness is wiser than human weakness and His weakness is stronger than human strength (1st Corinthians 1:25). This deception has made blind many- including believers, and caused them to chose bribery and wicked schemes in their pursuit of wealth. However, we must always remember that an athlete does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules (2nd Timothy 2:5).Scripture pays significant attention to matters integrity, especially in relation to money. I believe this is so because God knows the central role of money in our lives, and how easily it corrupts the heart. The truth of the matter is that there is only one standard against which we shall be judged on the Day of the Lord, and that standard is God's Word. We may rationalize our actions today and justify them in the context of the 21st century standards, but it is of no avail because God's standard does not change! God is the same yesterday, today and forever! God's Word is the plumb line that helps us to be aware of our sin (NIV Commentary) as clearly depicted in Amos 7:7-8.
It is unfortunate and yet not surprising that the world today judges success by the amount of wealth a man has accumulated, what they drive, where they live, and their public image. David Wells (1994) in his book God in The Wasteland states, "we have become...hollow men, without weight, for whom appearance and image must suffice. Image and appearance assume the functions that character and morality once did." In today's modern society, it is with no doubt that a lot of pressure is set on our shoulders for acquisition of riches and to be socially correct in an environment of rampant and changing social demands. In the ascent of worldly pressures, self has taken the center place of man's life and God has been relegated to the peripheries. In that state of being self-centered, sin looks normal and righteousness looks odd.
The Kingdom of God is an upside down Kingdom in the sense that its principles contradict worldly principles. For example, according to worldly principles, a leader has subjects and is to be served. We see it a lot in our beloved country Kenya where leaders bestow upon themselves many privileges with disregard that majority of the populous struggle to put at least one decent meal on the table every day. God's principle on leadership is the direct opposite of the world's. Whoever wants to become great must be a servant to others; whoever wants to be first must be their slave(Matthew 20:26-27). Also, the world dictates that you need to bribe your way and give some kick backs if you are to attain financial success. On the contrary, God states that no man shall be established through wickedness (Proverbs 10:30) but the righteous find life, prosperity and honor (Proverbs 21:21).
God's promises to the righteous are adequate to persuade us to choose the narrow path of walking in integrity, in a world that considers that odd. Blessings crown the head of the righteous and include the following:
- Victory- God holds victory in store for the upright (Proverbs 3:7a).
- Protection- God is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones (Proverbs 3:7b-8).
- Stable & Secure- The upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it (Proverbs 2:21). The man of integrity walks securely (Proverbs 10:9). He will never be uprooted (Proverbs 10:30). His enemies live at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7). Though he sometimes stumbles and falls, he rises again (Proverbs 24:16).
- Good Health- When you fear God and shun evil, He brings health to your body and nourishes your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8).
- Insight & Guidance- God discloses His will and plans to the righteous, thus giving them divine insight. Proverbs 3:32 states that He takes the righteous into His confidence. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day (Proverbs 4:18). His integrity guides him (Proverbs 11:3).
- Life- Righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 10:2), for their way is life (Proverbs 12:28). Their words are a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).
- Great Legacy- The memory of the righteous will be a blessing (Proverbs 10:7). They live an inheritance for their children's children (Proverbs 13:22).
- Ever Fruitful- The righteous will thrive like a green leaf (Proverbs 11:28).
- True Prosperity- Prosperity is the reward of the righteous (Proverbs 13:21). His house contains great treasure (Proverbs 15:6). Since he pursues righteousness, he finds life, prosperity and honor (Proverbs 21:21).
- Boldness- The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). They are not impartial to sin or afraid to point it out and address it.
- Instability & Insecurity- The wicked will be uprooted from the land and torn from it (Proverbs 2:22). They stumble as they grope in deep darkness (Proverbs 4:19). They will not remain in the land for the Lord uproots them (Proverbs 10:30). His money, gained in dishonest ways dwindles away (Proverbs 13:11).
- Violence & Trouble- The mouth of the wicked is overwhelmed by violence (Proverbs 10:6). The righteousness is rescued from his trouble and it comes on the wicked instead (Proverbs 11:8). Misfortune pursues the sinner (Proverbs 13:21). His income brings trouble (Proverbs 15:6). His wealth is turmoil (Proverbs 15:16).
- Destruction & Death- The unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity (Proverbs 11:3). The Lord works out everything for his day of disaster (Proverbs 16:4). The wicked are brought down by calamity (Proverbs 24:16).
- Fearful- The wicked flee when no one pursues (Proverbs 28:1).
The above lists of blessings and curses are far from being exhaustive, but at least should serve to persuade us that there are numerous blessings in living self-controlled, upright and godly lives. The good news is that God does not require to live right in our own might. God's grace has been provided for us for this very reason. Titus 2:11-12 states that "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." God's grace is available and sufficient for all who desire to walk in integrity!
