Joshua Hunt has written a moving article: How I became a pathological liar? (New York Times, 13 July 2022) Being from a poor family, he told lies to mask his poverty in school. He had to invent excuses for not participating in excursions, as he could not afford them. “Observing this etiquette doesn’t feel dishonest because its falsehoods recognize the deeper truth that many of society’s institutions are hostile to the poor. Lying to the landlord keeps a roof over our heads. Lying to the social worker keeps our family together. Lying to ourselves allows us to believe it’s all going to be OK, somehow, someday.” Later in his life, as he faced the reality, decided to make honesty his habit. That was a process of discipline that he learned and practiced.
Right prayer: This is indeed a beautiful and earnest prayer of Agur: “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you. and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30: 8,9)
Falsehood: Agur recognizes that both wealth and poverty are deceptive that lead people astray from God.
Father of lies: Satan, the Father of lies (John 8:44) uses poverty and riches as his powerful tools to entrap and enslave people. In the imperfect world, unjust systems and structures create economic and social poverty and disproportionate wealth. The Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ is for the economically, socially, and spiritually poor (even materially wealthy). The gospel promises deliverance, liberty, recovery of sight (perspective to understand the truth), and the Lord’s favor – mercy and grace. (Luke 4: 18-19)
The Truth: Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) The poor are trapped, oppressed, enslaved, and exploited by Satan, the Prince of the world. (John 14:30) Satan and his lies could only be defeated by The Truth.
Has the gospel delivered me from deceptive wealth and poverty?