Integrity in Missions

This is part two of this article. Please click here to read part one.

Integrity is very important in relation to missions. If the messenger is suspect, why would anyone believe the message? We know that the message of the Gospel of Christ is true, but if the messenger is thought to be dishonest, corrupt, lying, or misrepresenting his Lord, who will listen to him?

In our Bible colleges, we teach courses such as Introduction to Missions, Biblical Theology of Missions, History of Missions, Missionary Practices, Cultural Anthropology, and other similar courses. Someone asked me what other courses I thought should be offered. Two topics came immediately to mind. They were Linguistics and Missionary Ethics. Was I implying that missionaries are less ethical than other Christian workers? Oh no! I love missionaries and their families. The truth is, however, that in this day with so many moral lapses, Christian integrity should be emphasized and exemplified.

I define Christian ethics as the science of right and wrong in light of the Word of God. Are not the words, honest, faithful, committed, godly character, godly conduct, and careful with money, much better than the words, dishonesty, lying, cheating, stealing, and misrepresenting.

We hesitate to look at ourselves with honesty. It is always easier to see a fault in the life of another, than it is to admit to one in our life. John, writing to Gaius in 3 John 12 said, “Demetrius, hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.” Here we see two men of integrity—Demetrius and John. Demetrius was the kind of missionary that a church wants to support. He had a good report of men and of the truth. John, also, did not hesitate to say to Gaius, “You can believe me, because you know that I am an honest, godly man.”

Paul was careful to let churches know that money entrusted to him was carefully and honestly handled. In 2 Corinthians 8:19 he speaks of the person, “Who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace.” “This grace” here means the offering for the church in Jerusalem. In verse 21, he says, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” In Romans 12:17, he wrote, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” It is obvious that Paul believed in the utmost integrity.

There are many dangers for missionaries who do not have high integrity. Here are some of them:

• A real or perceived pressure from churches to produce results
• How much support is enough support?
• How should money that was given for a special project that is now cancelled be handled?
• Taking credit for someone else’s work
• How many people attend my church?
• Using statistics which are not verified

These things, of course, can plague other Christian workers. As men and women who represent a holy God in an unholy world, we should desire to do right because of the God we love and worship. Our lives should not be about “feeling right” but about “being right.” The Lord says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” He also told us to, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Perfect, complete, mature, and whole would be a good way to describe a life of integrity. All Christians should be people of integrity. Our word should be a sacred bond. Our character should be beyond reproach. For missionaries, this is vitally important. We are taking the Word of our Lord into a foreign and pagan culture. May the people to whom we are called always see our Lord reflected in us.

This is part two of this article. Please click here to read part three or four.