Proverbs 20:7
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
7 The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. (NIV)
Walking in Integrity?
You may have noticed that there are not many people who walk with integrity in our world.
Many people find an error on their receipt and keep the excess change (although recently a relief pitcher for the baseball team the San Francisco Giants, Jeremy Affelft, discovered a half million dollar mistake in his paycheck, and returned it!), though it could cost someone their job.
Many people cut off others in traffic to save themselves time or drive slower to “keep themselves safer,” when in truth they may be causing accidents and delays.
There are a myriad of ways people do not walk in integrity, from relationships to finances to business even to church.
However, those who walk in integrity are held blameless by their families, friends, and communities. Whether it is financial, moral, or relational, those who walk in integrity leave many blessings for their children.
A Blessing with a Warning
The children of a person of integrity find that they are blessed with some influence.
People are willing to trust them because of who their parents were. Some people find they have enough money to influence others’ responses.
The wise will use this influence to make their world better. The godly will use this influence to make an impact for Christ.
However, as David and Solomon’s children demonstrated, that influence can also be used to burden and curse others.
The choice is ours how we use what our parents have left for us.
If they left us an example of integrity, may we follow that example.
If they left us an example of selfishness, pride, and violence, may we choose to follow the example of Christ and set a new example of integrity for our children.
Wise Lord, help us break the cycle of our families to walk in the integrity of Christ. Help us to live lives that are pleasing to You and blameless in the sight of our eyes, for Your glory.
Caitlin Klem
Chris Jordan
Daniel M. Klem
dawnlizjones
David
Grady Davidson
Jason Sneed
Michael Wilson
Nick
Anthony Baker
Katie Marie
Wally Fry
Proverbial Thought 
May 23rd, 2013 at 3:41 am
Thank for shareing
May 23rd, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Thank you for commenting! It is an encouragement!
May 23rd, 2013 at 6:19 am
A cell group leader of a church I attended some years ago told of how he didn’t much care for his father. He thought his father was not too bright, and seemed to view life in simple terms. Yet he was bowled over when his father died, and saw at the funeral the hundreds of people who attended the funeral. One by one folk went to the podium to give honour to his father, and shared how much his father had meant to them; how kind; what thoughtful words; what integrity. Here was a guy in his own father’s house who could not see the greatness of the man.
I must confess, because of particular things that happened to me in my childhood home, I learned to hate my mother. It was only after forgiving my mother and being delivered of the pain of hurts I endured, that I was then able to see the good in her, and the legacy she has left me. I wonder how many of us have had the same experience?
May 23rd, 2013 at 12:45 pm
My parents had similar stories. My parents did not give their bitterness toward their respective parents to God until only four years ago. Now, they help lead a regular class on trusting God and overcoming bitterness, hatred, and other emotions through the power of Christ working through His Holy Spirit.
I think the fact that they have full classes every time shows how common it is! Praise God that He works through us and our issues to help others!