Topical Bible: Lying: Poverty Preferable To

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Topical Encyclopedia

Lying, the act of intentionally deceiving others by speaking falsehoods, is consistently condemned throughout the Scriptures. The Bible places a high value on truthfulness and integrity, emphasizing that honesty is a reflection of God's character. In contrast, lying is associated with sin and moral corruption. The Scriptures suggest that it is better to endure poverty than to engage in deceitful practices.

Biblical Condemnation of Lying

The Bible explicitly condemns lying in numerous passages. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights God's abhorrence of falsehood and His pleasure in those who uphold truth. Similarly, in Proverbs 6:16-19, lying is listed among the seven things that the Lord hates, further underscoring its severity.

Poverty and Integrity

The Scriptures often present a dichotomy between material wealth obtained through dishonest means and the virtue of maintaining integrity despite financial hardship. Proverbs 19:1 declares, "Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse." This verse suggests that moral uprightness is of greater value than wealth, even if it results in poverty.

Proverbs 28:6 echoes this sentiment: "Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse." The emphasis here is on the superiority of a life marked by honesty and righteousness over one characterized by deceit and moral compromise, regardless of financial status.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of truth and integrity, lived a life devoid of deceit. Despite His humble earthly circumstances, He consistently upheld the truth, teaching His followers to do the same. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." His life and teachings underscore the importance of truthfulness and the rejection of falsehood.

Warnings Against Dishonest Gain

The Bible warns against the pursuit of wealth through dishonest means. Proverbs 21:6 states, "The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare." This verse warns that wealth obtained through deceit is temporary and ultimately destructive.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul admonishes believers to avoid deceitful practices. Ephesians 4:25 instructs, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." This call to honesty is rooted in the unity and integrity expected within the Christian community.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently upholds the value of truth and integrity over material wealth. Lying is portrayed as a sin that leads to spiritual and moral decay, while poverty, when accompanied by righteousness, is presented as a preferable state. The Scriptures encourage believers to prioritize honesty and trust in God's provision, even in the face of financial hardship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 19:22
The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cxxxviii. (AD 412. )
... men to the practice of voluntary poverty, continence, benevolence ... is celebrated
according to the lying invention of ... of adversity would not be preferable to the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxviii a d 412.htm

The Rich Man and Lazarus
... The beggar died:" Here ended poverty and pain ... Accordingly, the expression of Lazarus
lying in Abraham's ... best means of rational conviction; far preferable to any ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 112 the rich man.htm

A Homily on Guria and Shamuna, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... And lo! enriched is the whole creation through His poverty. ... They were not like the
two lying sons of Belial,. ... [3346] This seems preferable to Cureton's "Ye are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/a homily on guria and.htm

A Discourse which was in the Presence of Antoninus C??sar
... stand thou up from among those who are lying on the ... is, that those whose fathers
have bequeathed them poverty strive to ... 3584] This seems preferable to Cureton's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/i a discourse which was.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... this leads us back to the natural poverty of man ... be explained"and this seems to be
preferable"from 1 ... wilderness appears as a state of trial, lying in the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Justice.
... tell lies to please the parents that hate lying. ... and faint, but, by the very poverty
and untruth ... the suffering of the innocent is unspeakably preferable in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/justice.htm

On the Death of his Father.
... of which he was but the steward, relieving poverty as far ... room, and noticing the
tokens of his lying upon the ... not a presidency of this kind far preferable to a ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xviii on the death.htm

Book ii.
... Riches bring more delights than poverty annoyance, the satisfaction in children's
love is ... That rich man lying in hell shall seek it, who wishes that his tongue ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

The Misery of Man Without God
... some people who lie for the mere sake of lying. ... one very real reason, namely, the
natural poverty of our ... Every opinion may be held preferable to life, the love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ii the misery of.htm

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ...
... Bunyan well knew that idleness engenders poverty and crime, and is the parent ... sin,
and this world, and a few base, drunken, swearing, lying, covetous wretches ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the heavenly footman or a.htm