integrity test
“Oh Lord, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How can we get on your guest list? ‘Walk straight, do right and tell the truth. Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. Keep your word even if it costs you, live honestly and never take bribes. If you live like this you will never be blacklisted.'” (Psalm 15:1 message).
In 2002, American companies Arthur Andersen, Enron and Salomon Brothers were shut down due to the evil actions of a few people who failed integrity tests. Their corporate integrity code failed to enable front-line employees to make the right decisions without supervision.
Lack of honesty is nothing new. The Bible is full of examples. One of these involves Gehazi, who was an assistant to Elisha, the most famous prophet of his time. It is difficult to imagine that anyone working with such an anointed one who has witnessed the power of God firsthand would fail the test of integrity. But he did it.
When Elisha healed Naaman (a general in the army) of leprosy, he did not expect compensation and did not ask for money. When Naaman insisted that Elisha take some kind of payment, the prophet replied, “As the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing” (2 Kings 5:16). However, Gehazi did not agree with his employer. He saw this as a great opportunity for profit and took matters into his own hands. “Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said in his heart, ‘My master has been very easy on this Naaman the Aramean, he has not accepted what he brought him. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him'” (2 Kings 5:20).
As a result of his sin, God judged Gehazi. Elisha cast him out and God struck him with leprosy, and his life was never the same. He was removed from serving one of God’s most extraordinary prophets.
Each of us has the potential to be a Gehazi if a foundation is not built in our lives that prepares us to receive only what God gives us through the fruit of our obedience.
Pray to God that your intentions remain pure in whatever you do.
