What does Proverbs 28:6 mean?

Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) nearly repeats a lesson given earlier in this book (Proverbs 19:1). This is a consistent theme in the Bible: it is better to be right with God and lacking in worldly goods or accolades than to have material comfort and be spiritually doomed (Proverbs 16:19; 19:22; 22:2; Matthew 16:26; 19:23).

The Hebrew word iq'qēs can be translated as "perverse" as well as "crooked." The term implies something being twisted, manipulated, or warped. In this context, that can refer to dishonest business practices or blatant corruption. A person gaining wealth that way might think they are better off, but they cannot escape spiritual judgment through money. If the dishonest person tries to claim their finances and faith are separate, Scripture disagrees. Matthew 6:24 quotes Jesus as saying, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

The mere risk of giving up earthly comfort can make people hesitant to accept the gospel. In the New Testament, a rich man claimed he'd done everything he could for God when asking Jesus about salvation (Luke 18:18–21). Jesus challenged the man to give up his money (Luke 18:22). Instead of obeying, the man became sad and walked away from Christ (Luke 18:23; Matthew 19:22). Wealth is compatible with faith—but unless faith is more important than wealth, it is not saving faith (Luke 9:23–25; Matthew 19:29).