While integrity has many facets, operating above reproach is one of the key aspects God has commanded us to follow. This means we conduct ourselves, business deals, and product claims in ways that are above criticism. Our conduct (personal and business) must be above suspicion of dishonesty or unfairness at all times. If we operate in this way, when our integrity is called into question the accusers will not find any evidence of deceit or manipulation.
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach… (1 Timothy 3:2 ).”
“So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).
When we sit at the negotiating table, we typically have one thing on our mind: what is best for me and my company? However, we must be business men and women who refuse to leverage buying power, size, influence, or circumstance to take advantage of another company or person. We need to negotiate everything from employment agreements to business acquisitions in a way that nobody gets taken advantage of. Unfortunately, just because someone agrees to our terms does not mean they are fair…it could simply mean we have leverage.
“Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace” (2 Corinthians 1:12).
“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him” (Proverbs 11:1).
“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation… For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:12,15).
Is every aspect of our life and business above suspicion of dishonesty or unfairness? Is 1 Peter 2:15 true in our businesses, that by doing good we are putting to silence the ignorance of foolish people?