Beyond the Weekend

August 1 | Practice Integrity

August 1, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. James 5:3c-4

Read: James 5:3c-4

Listen: James 5

TODAY’S MESSAGE

In the ancient world, much of the economy relied on farmers and their fields. Those who owned land were often very wealthy. Unfortunately, there were no workers’ unions, and it was extremely difficult to hold landowners accountable in treating their workers fairly. Some landowners saw an opportunity and took advantage. The workers did hard physical labor all day and then the landowner gave them less than the agreed pay. Maybe these landowners thought, “Everyone is doing it. It’s just business.” It’s not just business. Really, it’s a lack of integrity.

God hears the cries of those mistreated and cares about our integrity even when we don’t. This is a good reminder for us today. May we be people who do what is right with honesty and fairness. When we act without integrity, we invite misery on ourselves and others. This doesn’t mean that God will judge us every time we fail to act fairly—but it will come back to hurt someone. Ask yourself these questions: Who do I owe? Was I honest? Was I fair? Whether you have struggled with this in the past or struggle with it today, now is the time to take steps to grow in your integrity. It is never too late to do what is right to act with integrity.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Spend a few minutes thinking who hurts because of my lack of integrity? Is there something I need to make right? If there is, start by asking God for forgiveness. Then make things right with the person(s) you wronged by paying what you owe, correcting your dishonesty, or agreeing to something fairer.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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