The Legacy of Integrity (Proverbs 20:7)
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Proverbs 20:7
The righteous who walks in his integrity—
blessed are his children after him!
I love this verse in addition to Proverbs 10:9 from yesterday because it adds another layer to the value of integrity. Yesterday we saw that those who live in integrity “walk securely” – it’s a personal blessing and connection – but today, we see that integrity doesn’t just bless the man who possesses it, but it also winds up blessing generations ahead.
Abraham’s story in Genesis 17 is a great example. He was a faithful man, accepted with God, and “walking before him” in his integrity. And in that chapter – and the rest of the Bible – don’t we see the Lord’s covenant bringing an everlasting blessing to his children after him?
God blesses the families and generations of those who walk before Him.
That’s certainly not the reason to pursue the Lord or to walk in integrity, but it is such an encouraging promise in it.
And this idea is echoed beautifully by Charles Bridges, who speaks directly to parents and future parents about how integrity shapes a family’s faith. He says:
‘Christian parents! — let integrity, as before God, be the broad stamp of our family religion. Walk not according to the maxims of the world yourselves, nor allow them in your children. Let us make God's word — his whole word — our universal rule; his ways, however despised, our daily portion. “Let us seek first,” for our children as for ourselves, “the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Thus walking in our integrity, we may look for the honored blessing of being the parents of a godly race. Our children are blessed after us; perhaps “after we, having served our own generation by the will of God, shall have fallen asleep.” (Acts 13:36.)’
Of course, the Lord’s saving of your kids or your kids’ kids is not promised, but a verse like this certainly encourages me – and I hope it encourages you – to walk in integrity, knowing that our faithfulness today can shape the faith of those who come after us.
So, what kind of legacy are you building with your integrity?
If you have kids, what values are you showing them through your actions?
If you don’t, are you a blessing to your friends and family around you? If not them, how can you expect to be a blessing to your kids?
Let’s pray.
