Proverbs 19:1 (ESV)
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
The relationship between wealth, integrity and speech is not hard to miss. In Proverbs 6:30-31 we actually read from Solomon's own pen that people understand the failures of a poor man who "steals" to care for his own hunger:
Proverbs 6:30-31 (ESV)
People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;
he will give all the goods of his house.
Or, it is not unusual to hear foul speech from a fool. So, too observe, however, that a man of little wealth can still keep his integrity intact (per the above proverb). That is a wondrous thing. A fool is going to have corrupt speech. We can read that truth in most of the chapters in Proverbs. However, it is very unusual what Solomon is telling us in this proverb. Solomon's words here are a little stronger than a simply observation. He is saying that being poor, with your integrity, is better than being wealthy if you are also “being a fool and having perverse speech” ... speech that says there is no God, for instances (Psalm 53:1). The heart of a fool is worse than the empty pockets of a man of integrity. Integrity comes because you have a heart set on truth and principle. God produces such a heart. Perverse speech comes from a heart that is twisted and denies God's truth. So, this proverb is about the heart, not the pockets. God is telling us that a heart that is steadfast on Him is better being poor than having all and not having Him. Poor is a state of circumstance. Rich is also a state of circumstances. Integrity is a state of Godliness. The tongue (speech) will reveal the heart. We just have to listen to others and they will soon revel their heart. Corrupt speech comes from a corrupt heart.
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