Day 4 - The Foundation of Integrity

JOB 8:7 - Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end should GREATLY INCREASE.

DEUTERONOMY 6:3 - Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that you may INCREASE MIGHTILY, as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you, in the land that flows with milk and honey.

PSALM 115:12-16 - The Lord has been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and

great. 14 The Lord shall INCREASE YOU MORE AND MORE, you and your children. 15 May you be blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth he has given to the children of men.

We’re about to launch into a discussion of specific principles of increase God has established for us in His Word so that we can be a blessing to others. But first, it’s important to understand

that a foundation of integrity, loyalty, and love is necessary if we’re going to live a balanced perspective that includes others, and our spirit, soul, and body.

            You see, if we compromise our integrity as we try to progress forward in life, we’ll end up with the smallest portion of what life has to offer. For instance, suppose we use dishonesty, deceit, or fraud to increase our wealth. In that case, although we may acquire money, we will also find ourselves with less loved ones, fewer friends, and little peace of mind.

            This kind of prosperity is not the meaning of success. The man who earns a million dollars but destroys his health and sanity in the process is not successful. Likewise, the corporate

executive who alienates his family in his climb to the top is not a success. He can’t take his wealth with him when he dies, and he has estranged the very loved ones to whom he would leave it as an inheritance. However, when we give ourselves away, we will have so many more friends here and when we get to heaven. I think Jesus said it best when He said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone and you are gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings (Luke 16:9).”

Pray this: Father, help m to go forward with strength and honor for you. I really want to increase for your sakes, for my family and for our church.