Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity,
than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
–Proverbs 19:1 (KJV)
Proverbs 19:1 speaks of a person being better off
poor and having integrity than to be a fool with perverse lips. I have
heard people speak of being poor, but then there is also dirt poor,
which is apparently as poor as a person can be. The Word of God says
you are better off being poor, dirt poor, and a person of integrity
than being a fool with ungodliness coming from your mouth. The gospel
of Jesus Christ is available to anyone regardless of social status or where we are from, because the gospel is
for all people. When Jesus said “whosoever” in John 3:16, He meant anyone
who would believe on Him. Do not allow any sort of hang-ups about where
you are from, what you do for a living, or a perceived lack of ability
keep you from accomplishing great works in the kingdom of God.
Consider Jesus’ disciples. A more bumbling,
rag-tag group of miscreants you will never find. Yet, Jesus took those
men and brought them along, worked with them, taught them, and showed
them the power of the gospel. Eleven of them (Judas the traitor
hung himself) went on to turn the world upside down with the message
of the gospel. How did they accomplish this? The answer is they were
faithful, but they also discovered the spiritual power of walking in
integrity. Integrity means honesty, truthfulness, honor, and uprightness.
All of those should be characteristic of the believer. We are honest
in our dealings with others and we are honest in our relationship with
Christ.
Christ has entrusted us with a valuable gift, which
is the gospel. The Lord has commanded us to share the gospel with others
and to do so by letting Christ shine from us. Therefore, we are to take
our calling in Christ with the utmost seriousness. We have received
a great treasure in Jesus Christ. Integrity is the key to how we handle
this wonderful treasure. Perhaps you are questioning your worth
in God’s kingdom. Do not surrender to the false notion that
you are of little or no value to God. You are of far greater value
than you may realize. You and I are integral to the work of sharing
the gospel with a lost and hurting world.
The troubled world in which we live needs people
of integrity to shine the light of Christ. People everywhere are
looking for answers to the hard questions of life. As we live
lives of integrity, we can show them there is hope in the Lord.
Do not give up on living for the Lord. God has a wonderful plan
for your life. Walk forward in faith, keep looking to Christ,
and do not give up on living the Christian life. God loves you
and you are vitally important to Him.
God bless you today.
