Essay 15: The Importance of Honesty and Integrity
On January 23rd, K-Mart had filed for a chapter 7 bankruptcies. It was in the 2nd place in grocery marketing. The bankruptcy of K-Mart was biggest in history. It was forced to close its doors because of other competitors such as Wall Mart, Target, and etc. In Los Angeles County, weight and measurement inspection was made and in the review, from December 17th of 2001 on and onwards, many of the consumers markets like K-Mart, Wall-Mart, Macys, Target, Circuit City and other totaling 108 consumers market, out of them 64 of them had been reported for overpricing items. The most problematic of all was the K-Mart. All 30 K-Mart locations within Los Angeles were overcharging customers. Reflecting upon the review, it is very safe to say the K-Mart had closed its doors, not because of other consumers, but of losing their integrity to their customers in corruption and greed. When the phrase “to have” has replaced “: to be” which is of the essence of human nature, such tragic end of business. To operate only “to have” it’s revenue rise, would instead end the business.
Meanwhile in the business magazine “Fortune”, Wall-Mart is taking its place being the world’s best consumer store. They operate on clarity and honesty. Lately, a Texas based energy Service Company Enron was on the news as it had recently went bankrupt. The company was on the 7th in the revenues total, but as the two companies went out of business, it had not only affected the business, but the entire nation of United States as well. It had stalled the entire economy of the United States, and gave a huge blow to the 401K retirement plan. Many people have lost their jobs. Popular novelist InHo Choi in his novel “Way of Marketing”, he wrote “To have a business is not to make more profit, but to leave people behind.”
There were many steps in which the two companies have gone down. In summarization, it is the loss of integrity, selfishness, and corrupt business. Accounting fraud, stock exchange fraudulent, had made them prosper. But in repercussion, they had overlooked while opening many more store locations, to get more customers. The companies and the US economy had lost its integrity and honesty.
We always say, mature church, healthy church, and to disciple like a bad habit.
In the view of the bankruptcies, we must check ourselves, to have such church; the most important thing is to have honesty and integrity in front of not only God, but other people as well. Wouldn’t it be nice if people review all of us as honest and integral reverends? If these basic bonds are not in existence, how could we have any influence even if the sermon, the passion of discipleship is great despite all the greatness? With the integrity, and honesty, all those things will follow naturally.
Why must we then, be honest and integral? Is it to become a successful reverend?
The answer should never stay from this point. “by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron (1 Timothy 4:2),
As Jesus had instructed us in the “great commissioning”, there is no way to raise new workers at all without the proper discipline and honesty, integrity.
In Philippians 3:17, Apostle Paul said, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us”
(February 20, 2002)
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Unforgettable Names 
The Importance of Honesty and Integrity