Day 140, Year 1

Becoming a Trustworthy Person

“Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his speech and is a [self-confident] fool.” (Proverbs 19:1 AMPC)

“Like an archer who wounds everybody is he who hires a passing fool or drunkard.” (Proverbs 26:10 RSV)

We can see from today’s verse the value of wisdom and integrity. To begin with, being rich or poor is not really that significant. Although the first verse in Hebrew does not encompass the word “rich,” the translator likely added it to contrast with the word “poor.” This is a wake-up call to those who are venal and solely pursue money, as it seems to rebuke those who distort the truth or reality so as to serve their self-interest. The meaning of the verse is clear—do not covet unrighteous wealth, but rather be contemptuous of unjust benefits while preserving our integrity even in poverty. But when our eyes are on external achievements or wealth, we inevitably neglect to nurture our inner lives.

“Walk” in the first verse could be translated as “behave,” while the word “integrity,” tom in Hebrew, also means “completeness, fullness, perfection, or simplicity.” In other words, people who walk in completeness, fullness, perfection, and simplicity are blessed, exceeding any foolish riches. Indeed, when we pursue a pure heart, our conduct will become upright. In a society that emphasizes the pursuit of wealth at the expense of integrity, we who follow the Lord need to have the courage to go against the trends of wickedness. Practicing God’s uprightness might come at a cost, and we might have to be poorer.

The phrase “perverse in his speech” in the first verse of today is composed of two Hebrew words. First, ‘iqqesh means “crooked, twisted, perverted, distorted,” including “inward crookedness.” Second, saphah refers to “lip, speech, language.” Thus, “perverse in his speech” here means a person who always distorts speeches. This verse directly states that these are foolish and defiled people. Conversely, those with “integrity” are careful in their speech and do not distort others’ words. Indeed, we who are blessed by God persistently pursue honesty, truthfulness, and simplicity. Finally, the second verse of today makes it clear that fools often deprive others for their own self-interest. Hence, an unclean or unrighteous person is not worthy of trust, just like a passing fool or drunkard, and unreliable for all important tasks.

Reflection questions:

1) Are you willing to forgo benefits in order to uphold godly integrity or uprightness in all your words and actions?

2) Are you a trustworthy person? Why?