Honesty Matters

The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
Proverbs 19:22

We often pity the poor. However, Solomon ranks the penniless above one who lies. Do we feel the same pity for the liar? Or do we try to justify his actions as simply "stretching the truth" or telling a "little white lie"? Such descriptions are not quite so grotesque as "liar". Negative images are not conjured for the one "who was trying to protect some one's feelings" but they certainly are gruesome for the filthy liar.

Why do we go to such great lengths to defend the liar but not for the poor? Perhaps, it is because we can relate with the liar better than we can the destitute? We have been there and we know how dirty we feel after the first lie. And we know how easy it is to justify the following lies that cover the original lie. As we lie, we become more proficient and less susceptible to the guilt associated with such sin.

I understand that we may not have ever had to go without dinner or new clothes, but we have all skirted the truth. But as Christians, we also know the relief felt when we confess our sins to our Savior. So instead of justifying their actions, shouldn't we share with them the joy of confessing and leaving the sinful nature behind?

So let's exhort our poor friends in their service to God and invite our liars to join us in forgiveness. For truly, honesty matters!