Text – Deuteronomy 25:13-16

1. Introduction
   1. We are in the midst of a series: 7 Biblical Principles of Prosperity.
      1. Prosperity – being content with enough
      2. Wealth – having more than one can consume
   2. The first four principles are personal attitudes and actions that determine our prosperity.
      1. It’s better to be blessed than to be wealthy
      2. Prosperity is earned
      3. Trust: Depending upon God to supply your needs and meet your obligations.
      4. Principle of Margins
   3. The last three are moral principles.
      1. They determine not only our prosperity,
      2. but also how we will treat others in our business activities and with our wealth.
      3. The first is integrity.
2. Integrity
   1. Honesty in life and adherence to moral principle
      1. While we are focusing on material prosperity, integrity goes beyond commercial honesty.
      2. Some people would never directly steal, but they may misrepresent a product to get a larger profit.
         1. Proverbs 20:14,
            “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer;
            then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
      3. Our definition says, “Honesty in life.”
      4. But it is more than just honesty. It is adherence to moral principle. Our world lives by situational ethics. Meaning that we do what is convenient not necessarily what is right.
         1. Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
            When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the works of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.
      5. Let’s look a scripture for indicators of integrity and its link to prosperity
3. Explanation of the text.
   1. There are a number of verses that demand honest measures. I included five others in my research. I chose this for my text because it speaks directly to the issue of prosperity.
      1. Honest weights and measures are at the core of integrity
         1. J. Heinz firing a weigh master for cheating the farmers.
      2. Furthermore, honest weights and measures are critical to our enjoying peace and prosperity in our community. If weights and measures are dishonest, then we have no basis for trust in any area of our lives. Hence, the statement, “that you may live long in the land.”
         1. Proverbs 22:1,
            A good name is more desirable than riches;
            to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
         2. Proverbs 11:3
            The integrity of the upright guides them,
            but the unfaithful are destroyed by duplicity.
      3. Not only does God bless a people who have honest weights and measures, he despises those who do not.
   2. Dishonesty has its consequences.
      1. Proverbs 20:17,
         Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man,
         but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
      2. Proverbs 13:11
         Dishonest money dwindles away,
         but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
4. Conclusion
   1. Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
   2. Without integrity there will be no blessing.
      Without integrity there can be no prosperity.
      Without integrity one may become wealthy,
      but they will never enjoy prosperity.