You may recall the classic 1942 Dr. Seuss character Horton the Elephant.  Horton made a major comeback a few years ago when Jim Carey played Horton in the Animated film, Horton Hears a Who.  I used to read Horton Hatches the Egg to my daughters when they were little.  I love the moral of the story ~ Integrity.

“I meant what I said, and I said what I meant.  An elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent.” ~ Horton

What happened to character and virtue in our society?  What happened to men and women of faith standing firm in their beliefs?  When did our society become a people of blame shifting and taking the easy road?

I hear parents at the grocery stores scold their children over and over.  Then they start counting.  The kids scream louder.  Before our first daughter was born, some of the best advice we received was simple, “You’re the parent.  The child needs to know that you do not lose battles, regardless of how long it takes.”  Today, our kids know that when we say no, we mean no.  There is no second question about it.

Lately, I’ve been coming up against Christians in business telling me they will do something.  No calls.  No follow through.  Excuses is what I keep getting.  I’m confused by Christians who say their word is valuable, yet they trample their own integrity.  Commitments are being made and not acted on.   Why is that?

“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely.  ’I hate this,’ declares the Lord.”  Zechariah 8:16-17  NIV

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”  Tit 2:7-8 NIV

What must we do to reintroduce integrity to the workplace?  What will it take to stop men and women from lying when they know they can’t fulfill their commitments?  My favorite is, “Hey, we should get together!  I’ll call you next week.”  Don’t hold your breath. Equal to that is breaking a trust in being late for appointments.

Our words should be impeccable.  We need to get back to simple courtesy and honesty in our speech.  Under promise and over deliver.  Make it a lifestyle.  See if your prosperity doesn’t increase.

When you become a person of integrity who means what he says and does what he means, there are no limits to your prosperity.  Watch your relationships soar. Watch your career soar.  Watch your wealth increase.

As Nike put it so eloquently, “Just Do It.”  Let’s return to Integrity as a virtue to live by!

“Simply, let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’ be ‘No’; anything beyond that comes from the evil one.” ~ Jesus, Mt 5:37  NIV

You say it is important to become debt free or you want financial freedom.  Your intention will be manifested in the form of results.  If you want to know what your truest intentions are, carefully examine your results.  Then stop lying to yourself and have some integrity in the promises you make to you.  Integrity to others will follow.  Do what you say you want and what you say you will do.  You’ll be amazed at the immediate difference it will make in your life. Integrity is not just a cool sounding word.  It is a commitment to an honest lifestyle that comes with rewards.