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“If we operate with integrity, there is no withholding tax on the blessings of God.”

A thought by Mark Batterson from his book, Double Blessing (p. 37). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

We understand all about withholding tax, don’t we?

Mark says, “If you want to posture yourself for God’s blessing, integrity is on par with humility. It’s so tempting to take shortcuts and cut corners, isn’t it? Especially when no one is watching. But if you compromise your integrity, you short-circuit God’s blessing.”

Mark goes on, “The good news? If we operate with integrity, there is no withholding tax on the blessings of God. And that’s the goal, isn’t it? To live in such a way that God is able to give us His full blessing—blessings beyond our ability to ask or imagine. Don’t settle for anything less or anything else. If you have to compromise your integrity for an opportunity, it’s not an opportunity. That’s called temptation. Don’t sacrifice the favor of God for the promotion of man. Just as the first will be last and the last will be first, sometimes what seems like a step backward proves to be a giant leap forward. Eventually, integrity will catapult you far beyond maneuvering or manipulating. Integrity is staying in the lane of blessing, even when you feel like changing lanes. Trust me—integrity is the fast pass to blessing.

“If you don’t hold out on God, He is not going to hold out on you. If you give God the glory, there is no good thing He will withhold. Why? He’s a good, good Father!”

Matthew 7:9-11 says, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Mark after he found out that he didn’t get all of his money when he got his first paycheck said, “One fun footnote: I was depressed when I discovered that withholding tax, but my mourning turned to dancing a few months later when I got a letter from the IRS with a tax refund. I made so little money that they gave it all back! Just like that after-the-fact refund, blessings that are the by-product of integrity have a way of boomeranging months and years and decades later!”

I have found that so true.  Some of you have too, haven’t you? 

Yes, yes
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