Better is the Poor With Integrity - Proverbs 19:1

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother”, and in chapter nineteen and verse one of Proverbs Solomon said, “better is the poor that walks in his integrity” where we read,

Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

The verse begins, “Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, ...” Solomon began with the words, “better is the poor” or “more pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable exist the impoverished, in want, destitute, lacking and in need” “that walks in his integrity” which means ambles about, makes their way and proceeds within the impoverished person's completeness, fullness, innocence, simplicity and uprightness”. Solomon referred to people who are in need and yet live within their own innocence and uprightness.

The verse continues, “... than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” Solomon added the words, “than he that is perverse” or “compared to the person whether male or female who is twisted, distorted, crooked and false” “is his lips” which means “within their physical lips used for speaking”, “and is a fool” or “and exists as a stupid fellow, simpleton and arrogant one”. Solomon said the “poor” person who makes their way about with simplicity and uprightness exists “better” compared to the person who speaks in a crooked and false way and exists as a dullard and simpleton.

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we discover how being an upright person is more valuable than being a person who demonstrates their foolishness by speaking in crooked and false manner. God loves us, and He wants a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to use our speaking to glorify Him and others and to live with “integrity” and not as a “fool”.

Next time Solomon says, “the soul without knowledge, it is not good”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".