Proverbs 19:1-5

 

Prov 19:1 (KJB)

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

 

Perverse - To knot or distort

 

Here the verse is stating that it is better to have less of the worlds goods and to have integrity. This verse, like many others, is not condemning having wealth but is speaking of the condition of the heart. Wealthy people can have integrity but it is rare among that class because wealth can blind a person to reality. Here in this verse, the person of integrity is compared to a fool who seems to distort or twist their words, whether intentionally or not, the result will still be the same. A fool is one who does not do any research before they give an answer and this will inject many problems into the situation. Anyone who counts on a fool for wisdom, is twice as much a fool as the one they are depending on. He who has ears to hear. A person of integrity and wisdom is not identified by how much worldly goods they possess. The poorest person can be much wiser than the President of a corporation.

 

Prov 19:2 (KJB)

Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

 

Hasteth - To act with haste

Good - Useful or proper

Sinneth - To be guilty of a moral wrong doing or to sin

 

This verse builds on the theme of the previous verse. It shows the difference between a person who does not have knowledge of the situation at hand and those who rush in without knowledge and the consequences are some types of sin. Before we enter into any type of situation, we must have as many facts as we can garner so we can make an informed decision. How many have entered into marriage without knowing anything about the other person and the results were disastrous. The same can be said with a business partnership. If one enters into a partnership without knowing anything about the other person, the results will be disastrous. What about the open who attempts to preach the Bible and has little or no understanding of it, such as those unbelievers who pastor false churches. The results are eternally disastrous. One must take time in certain situations to assess things and not rush into anything.

 

Prov 19:3 (KJB)

The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

 

Perverteth - Twist or ruin

Fretteth - To be incensed, angry, or sad

 

The foolishness which is bound up in the heart of a person will never allow him to live a straight and narrow life. In fact, his own foolish heart will direct his ways into ruin and all his doings and his personal philosophies will be twisted from the normal mindset. This person become angry with the fact that they are foolish but instead of looking to themselves as the cause of their foolishness, they become angry with the Lord, as if it is His fault that they make foolish decisions repetitively. How many times have we heard unbelievers proclaim at some situation in their life , “God did this.” Their unsaved, foolish heart would rather blame God than seek Him.

 

Prov 19:4 (KJB)

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

 

Maketh - It will add

Separated - Severed

Neighbour - Kinsman or friend

 

If there is one principle that will never go away is the fact that those who have much will have many friends. Whether or not they are true friends is always a good question to ask. The problem is that many do not befriend the person but only their wealth. On the other hand, those that are poor are normally separated from their own kinsman or friends. This is because “fair weather friends” only befriend someone to take from the relationship and not give. Poor people will always have a harder time making friends than rich people, however, when they do make friends, they are real, because the friend knows they do not have much wealth.

 

Prov 19:5 (KJB)

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

 

Here we have a verse with two important meanings. First, those who are called upon to be a witness in some type of proceeding, whether it is public or private, and delivers a false witness will not go unpunished. They will be found out eventually and will be made to pay for their crime. Today (12/9/09) a woman had admitted that she had accused the wrong man of rape and as a result, he went to prison. Now it is her turn, if she is found guilty for making false accusations, she could serve seven years in prison. The second half of this verse teaches that liars will not escape because their lies will eventually catch themselves. (Num 32:23 KJV) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Liars have to continually lie to cover their previous lies and eventually their lies begin to reveal the truth about what they are saying. No one can continue lying without exposing themselves to breaches in their lies. (Rev 21:8 KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 warns that those who lie will be sent to the Lake of Fire on Judgment Day showing they will not escape. The second important principle in this verse is showing that those who are false witnesses for the Gospel and make up lies about the contents of Scripture, will also be subject to eternal damnation. Unbelievers do not understand the tenets of Scripture and therefore they would not be telling the truth concerning the Scriptures.

Back