Living with Integrity

By Reverend Andy Fleming, Chaplain

Many of us endure scam phone calls and emails. There doesn’t seem to be a day I don’t receive at least one. Since almost being duped by a dishonest call pretending to be a representative of a legitimate service I use, I don’t answer unknown numbers. There are often stories of people who are taken advantage of, lied to and having their money stolen. Over the past month in Chapel, Years 5 and 6 have been investigating what a life of integrity looks like.

Delving into the story of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector, students have a great example of how we need to take responsibility for our words, actions and even possessions. Further, they can see someone of good character retain honesty, reliability and fairness.

Through his interaction with Jesus, Zacchaeus learnt this too. He was a man of unfair and dishonest character who sold out his own people to work for the Roman occupiers until Jesus shared a meal with him. He realised how little integrity he had and changed his ways to become honest and fair, announcing: “I’m going to give half of all I own to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Throughout his ministry, Jesus is continually criticised for spending time with people who were society’s outcasts. These people were the poor and sick, and those who worked for the Roman occupiers and cheated their own people, like Zacchaeus. We know that Jesus isn’t concerned about being popular, and the episode with Zacchaeus explains why. Jesus did not come to praise the people that were already good, but to seek and save what was lost.

The scripture does not record the conversation that took place between Zacchaeus and Jesus. Possibly, Jesus showed him the error of his ways and Zacchaeus repented. It is likely that Zacchaeus already knew what he was doing was wrong. The fact that Jesus took an interest in him and came to his house humbled him in such a way that led him to do what he needed. Jesus believed in Zacchaeus and gave him the encouragement he needed. We can do the same for others.

Having integrity not only shows a strength of character, but also a love and respect for others and gratitude for the things we already have.

Go in peace,
Rev. Andy