12 THE BIBLE ON LEADERSHIP
boss’’ or even the boss’s right-hand man. But he could make an impact
by betraying the man many believe to be the son of God.
Judas’ lack of integrity was noticed even before he betrayed Jesus.
People who lack integrity usually show it in a variety of situations. At a
dinner in Jesus’ honor, a woman took a pint of expensive perfume and
poured it on Jesus’ feet. Guess which disciple objected on the basis
of ‘‘integrity’’? The one who lacked it the most: Judas Iscariot, who
complained, ‘‘ ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to
the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ He did not say this because he
cared for the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money
bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.’’ ( John 12:4–6)
The example of Judas shows how it takes only one dishonest person
or malcontent to severely derail a cooperative effort, particularly when
that person is at or near the top.
A modern leader who feigned empathy toward the poor while he
was enriching himself at their expense was William Aramony, former
CEO of The United Way, the organization that historically has helped
the modern equivalent of the widow, the orphan, the blind, the halt,
and the lame. Aramony, who was making $400,000 per year, was dis-
covered to have misappropriated a large amount of the organization’s
funds and resources for his own personal benefit.
ACTING WITHINTEGRITY
Words are not exactly cheap, but actions are dearer. Matthew empha-
sized that long speeches and ‘‘oaths’’ were not necessary to impress peo-
ple with one’s integrity.
Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the
earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great
King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair
white or black. Simply let your ‘‘Yes’’ be ‘‘Yes’’ and your ‘‘No,’’ ‘‘No.’’
(Matt. 5:33–37)