The Integrity of the Poor and the Perversity of the Rich

People may be classified into two categories: rich and poor. We may be tempted to view the rich as snobbish, haughty, and proud. The poor we might see as as humble, caring, and loving. Those who are rich might think their riches excuse their behaviors, whereas those who are poor usually take responsibility for their actions. Consider how the wise man says this is viewed before the LORD (Proverbs 11:1-6).

The poor walks in his integrity. I have often heard integrity defined as, “what one does when no one else is around.” Notice how the wise man talks about righteousness and integrity. Elsewhere in Proverbs, the poor is described as having integrity (Proverbs 19:1; 28:6). Sometimes being without things helps one appreciates the things one has. Paul taught the Philippians that he knew what it was like to be without, and he knew what it was like to have too much. In whatever state we are in, we should be content (Philippians 4:11-12).

The rich is perverse in his ways. To be perverse is to be “bent, crooked, or twisted.” It describes someone living in moral error. Here in our text the wise man uses terms like “pride, unfaithful, perverse, and wicked.” Some people think having riches would be the best thing in this world; however, this world and all its riches do not last forever (1 John 2:15-17). Remember that an appearance of a life of physical luxury does not always reveal a hidden life of perversity.

The wise man says, “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and not a fool (Proverbs 19:1).” Also, “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich (Proverbs 28:6).”

Either rich or poor, we must be content! Remember, “The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust (Proverbs 11:6).” God will care for those who are faithful to Him, and righteous before Him.