Back in the day when I played high school sports, I wanted a new baseball glove. I found the glove I wanted in a local sporting goods store and diligently saved up my money. But when the day came for the purchase, I was 15 cents short. I hadn’t accounted for the sales tax.

The store owner told me I could take the glove. But he wanted me to bring him the 15 cents when I got it. It was just 15 cents! But his request was teaching me the importance of little things.

Flash forward a dozen years. As I waited to purchase a newspaper from a coin-operated machine, the man buying a paper in front of me caught the spring-released door and held it open. He turned to look at me, offering me a “free” newspaper. I declined. It was “only” 50 cents. But it was much more than that.

In Luke 16, Jesus used a parable about a man who was more shrewd than honest to make a point about integrity. The man used his master’s finances to ensure his own financial security. But Jesus said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (v.10).

God warned His people Israel about integrity in business dealings. “Do not use dishonest standards,” He told them. “Your scales and weights must be accurate” (Leviticus 19:35-36).

Dishonesty in even the smallest of business transactions permits others to despise the name of the God we serve. And as the wise man said, “A good name is more desirable than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1 NIV).

If you don’t have integrity in the little temptations, you won’t have a chance when the big ones come along.