◄ Proverbs 28:6 ►
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
Study Bible
Better a poor man
The phrase "Better a poor man" sets the stage for a comparison that challenges societal norms. In the Hebrew text, the word for "poor" is "רָשׁ" (rash), which implies not just a lack of material wealth but also a humble state of being. This word choice suggests that poverty, in this context, is not merely an economic condition but a spiritual posture of humility and dependence on God. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern culture often equated wealth with divine favor, yet this proverb subverts that notion by suggesting that poverty, when coupled with righteousness, is preferable.

who walks in integrity
The Hebrew word for "integrity" is "תֹּם" (tom), which conveys completeness, simplicity, and moral innocence. Walking in integrity implies a lifestyle that is consistent with God's commandments and reflects a heart aligned with His will. In the scriptural context, integrity is a hallmark of a righteous person, one who lives transparently and honestly before God and others. This phrase emphasizes that true value is found not in material wealth but in a life that honors God through ethical and upright behavior.

than a rich man
The contrast here is with "a rich man," where the Hebrew word "עָשִׁיר" (ashir) denotes someone with abundance and wealth. In the ancient world, wealth was often seen as a sign of success and blessing. However, this proverb challenges that assumption by suggesting that wealth without righteousness is ultimately worthless. The focus is not on the wealth itself but on the character of the person who possesses it.

whose ways are perverse
The term "perverse" is translated from the Hebrew word "עִקֵּשׁ" (iqqesh), which means twisted or crooked. This word paints a picture of moral and ethical deviation from God's path. A rich man whose ways are perverse is one who uses his wealth for selfish or unjust purposes, living in a way that is contrary to God's standards. The historical context of this proverb would resonate with the audience's understanding of justice and righteousness as central to a life blessed by God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Poor Man
Represents individuals who may lack material wealth but possess moral and ethical integrity.

2. Rich Man
Symbolizes those who have material wealth but engage in morally corrupt or perverse behavior.

3. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding of human nature.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written, where wealth and integrity were significant societal themes.

5. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, focusing on practical and moral teachings.
Teaching Points
Value of Integrity
Integrity is a priceless virtue that surpasses material wealth. It is better to be poor and honest than rich and corrupt.

Eternal Perspective
Focus on eternal values rather than temporary material gains. True wealth is found in a life lived according to God's principles.

Contentment in Godliness
Cultivate contentment and trust in God's provision, recognizing that spiritual riches are of greater worth.

Moral Choices
Daily decisions should reflect a commitment to integrity, even when faced with financial or social pressures.

Witness of Integrity
A life of integrity serves as a powerful testimony to others, demonstrating the transformative power of living according to God's wisdom.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of integrity in Proverbs 28:6 challenge our modern views of success and wealth?

2. In what ways can we cultivate integrity in our daily lives, especially when faced with financial temptations?

3. How do the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels reinforce the message of Proverbs 28:6 regarding wealth and integrity?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our pursuit of material success does not compromise our moral values?

5. How can we encourage others in our community to value integrity over material wealth, and what role does the church play in this?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 37:16
This verse echoes the sentiment that a little with righteousness is better than the abundance of many wicked.

1 Timothy 6:6-10
Paul warns against the love of money and emphasizes godliness with contentment as great gain.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, highlighting the value of spiritual wealth over material wealth.

James 2:5
James speaks of God choosing the poor in the world to be rich in faith, reinforcing the idea that spiritual integrity is more valuable than material wealth.
Sermons
Christianity, the Health of a PeopleH. Melvill, B.D.Proverbs 28:6
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
The Moral Quality of LifeE. Johnson Proverbs 28:6-12
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Better, Blameless, Crooked, Double, Integrity, Perverse, Poor, Rich, Straight, Though, Upright, Uprightness, Walk, Walketh, Walking, Walks, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:6

     5450   poverty, spiritual
     5481   proverb
     5503   rich, the
     5871   greed, response to

Library
Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

"And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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