The story is told that just before his death, the Duke of Burgundy was presiding over the Cabinet Council of France.  A proposal was made that would violate an existing treaty but would secure important advantages for the country.  Many “good” reasons were offered to justify this action.  The Duke listened in silence.  When all had spoken, he closed the conference without giving approval.  Placing his hand on a copy of the original agreement, he said with firmness in his voice, “Gentlemen, we have a treaty!”

With all the good happening in America today, the one missing element is integrity.  We tend not to trust people because there is such a lack of integrity in others.  We ought to expect that in non-Christians, but we ought to expect integrity in believers.  Is the only reason we do the “right” thing because there is a law?  Or do we do the right thing because God is watching?

I was always instructed that ministers should never enter a business agreement with members of their church, because, if there was a disagreement with the contractor, they’ll leave the church.  But, when Anita and I built a new house several years ago, we contracted with people we trusted, mostly Christian contractors from our church, but some that attended other churches.  Because we all had common interests, integrity was an issue with everyone involved.  From then on, I always try to do my business with people of integrity.