It’s the little things that sabotage your legacy—even if you wear the Christian garb. Here’s what I’m talkin’ about …

I manage a couple of rentals for several different people. Through the years I’ve worked with mainly “Christian” tenants. Most of them have been wonderful tenants—the kind that make your heart sink when they move away.

Others not so much. When these tenants pack their bags and go, I do my stress-relieving happy dance.

I’ve also run into this with some Christians in business. They present themselves as good Christian people in church or when trying to make a good impression.

But there’s often a dark side to them that can be seen in how they speak to their employees. Or when they have to deal with the unexpected frustrations that arise in any business.

And then there’s the sweet looking grandma who returns her Starbucks drink to the counter and demands that it be remade to her exact specifications. She could have been nice about it, but no … she has to use her Queen Victoria-command-the-lowly-servants tone.

What’s wrong here?

How you treat little kids, old people, the guy who is a jerk, the annoying IRS clerk, your barking dog, or anyone who doesn’t live up to your expectations at any given point in time

… is important to Jesus.

That doesn’t mean you have to give in to others’ demands, but you do have to represent Jesus when dealing with demanding people.

You have to be honest … and you have to treat people decently.

You have to be a person of honor in God’s family.

Why? Because honesty and integrity work long after you’ve left the scene.

People remember Jesus in you. Even if they never see you again.

Someday in eternity future, this will count.

5 Tips to Help Honesty and Integrity Build Your Legacy

1. Remember that you are an emissary for Jesus. How you treat people is how they will assume Jesus treats people.

2. Be honest in money matters and other areas of responsibility.

3. Tune in to how you communicate your frustrations. Most of the time you’re unaware of how people “hear” you.

4. Don’t twist the truth. Don’t lie. And don’t leave out important information just to make yourself look good.

5. Apologize when possible. And be sincere about it. This is called humility. And it rates BIG with God.

Honesty and integrity aren’t always easy, but then … building a legacy implies work.

Growing with you, Susan

“Jesus likes it when we share.” -Adelaide, age 3: Pass this along to everybody and their brother. OK, maybe not everybody’s brother, but you know … all of your friends would be nice.