Honesty vs. Deceitfulness

“The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.” (Proverbs 11:1-5, NIV) [Read Proverbs 11]

If the 31 verses of Proverbs 11 could be summarized in a few words, we might say Solomon’s advice could be stated succinctly: “Deceitful persons pay a terrible price, but the honest find God’s favor.” In rapid-fire fashion, the author of this set of Proverbs deals with the right way—honesty—in business relationships as well as in day-to-day living in community. Here the law, or honest and right living, is taught in pithy, memorable proverbs that reveal the folly of deceitfulness and the high road of honesty.

The story is told of two men who worked for the same non-profit company. Their work entailed travel. Both were on an expense account and had to list their expenditures. Any savings they incurred while on the road would reflect upon good stewardship so that the funds from their company could be used for the best good of the non-profit causes they represented. One man desired the best hotels and the most expensive foods at good restaurants. The other saved on expenses by finding less-expensive accommodations and eating sensibly as he would have at home. The man who liked the best of everything tried to get the more frugal man to change his ways, stating: “You work hard. Why not take advantage of what is provided for you? You make the rest of us look bad with your low expense account.” But the one who sought honesty would not change his procedures. He was content to do what he felt God expected of him. His integrity gave him peace of mind and resulted in more revenue for his company to dispense in the good causes it supported.

In the affairs of life, many opportunities arise for dishonesty and deceitfulness. Only the wise seek God’s guidance, know the way of righteousness, make the right choices and persist in behavior that reflects wisdom. Regardless of what others do, or what may be considered one’s rightful privilege, the godly person will deal honestly and flee from deceitfulness. There is a promise in Proverbs 11 to confirm such conduct: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (verse 30).

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, July 9, 2010