“Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1).

Two people walked down a sidewalk in a quaint little town that afternoon. It was well known that the Van Fleet family was very well-to-do. The January winds were cold that day when Mrs. Van Fleet pulled her keys from her purse as she walked to her very expensive car. Behind her was Marvin Carpenter. Marvin had been a hard worker all of his life but had lost his job several years before this. He faithfully looked for work. His unemployment ran out. His bills were mounting. Almost a feeling of desperation was settling upon him. “How am I going to pay my bills?” was running through his mind that very afternoon. Just as Mrs. Van Fleet pulled her keys from her purse, her wallet fell out onto the sidewalk. She did not notice it. Marvin looked around and for a brief, fleeting second the temptation was great. He could not, however, steal that purse. Several months before this temptation, he had placed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and God had made him a new creation. Running ahead and gently calling to the very wealthy lady he said, “Excuse me, Ma’am. You dropped this,” and stooping down to pick up her wallet, he returned it to her. She was amazed at his honesty. He was blessed knowing that even though he had huge financial needs, there was something even more important than that – he had the opportunity of walking in integrity.

For today: There will be plenty of opportunities for you to do the right thing today. May God give you the grace, wisdom, and strength to do it!