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Sermon Illustrations: Integrity

A preacher got on a bus and discovered he had been given too much change. When he was getting off the bus, he told the bus driver who replied, "I know". "Why did you give me too much?" asked the preacher. "I was in church yesterday and heard you preach," replied the driver. "I wanted to see if you were worth listening to."

If a man neglects to return $3 too much in his change, he has just sold his integrity for $3.

John Wesley was specifically instrumental in forming the Wesleyan or Methodist church. Another great reformer of his day, George Whitfield worked with him in the early days, but their differing doctrinal position over the free-will or otherwise of man caused a rift in their cooperative working. Whitfield and Wesley parted company to work separately. They preferred integrity and dignity to conflict. Once, Whitfield was approached by somebody who may have expected him to criticise Wesley. "Do you think you will see John Wesley in heaven?" Whitfield was asked. "Oh no," came Whitfield's reply, "Wesley will be so close to the throne of God I won't be able to see him."¹

72-year-old Warren Buffett has a personal fortune estimated to be $30.5 billion (U.S.) - "second only to Bill Gates". He "once raised $210,000 at a charity auction for his 20-year-old wallet, with a stock tip inside". This was because of his reputation. Time magazine 10-3-03 p45

A young non-Christian man applied for a job as an architect. They called him up and asked him to come in. When he did, they offered him the job at $150,000. It was a great opportunity, but just as he was about to sign the agreement, he was told, "You are expected to look after your clients, wine, dine, and take them to girlie places. I hope your wife will understand." The architect said, "No thanks". "What!" exclaimed the businessman. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime." "No thanks," said the young man. "I'm not willing to sell my values for $150,000." A few days later, he got a promotion from his current boss.

Two lawyers set up a partnership and agreed to divide all their income equally. On their first day in business, a man made an appointment for some advice. "That will be $100," said one of the lawyers. The client gave him the cash, but unknown to him, there were two notes stuck together. The lawyer was confronted with his first ethical dilemma: Should he tell his partner about the extra cash?

Herald, Ivan The Other Face Of Conflict p110