Are you wrong to lie when put on the spot about how much something cost?

Dear Faithmate Ethics Advisor,

My coworker is really nosy, especially when it comes to money.  The other day she asked me when our whole office could hear how much my purse cost!  It so happens that the purse was really expensive, more than I usually would spend on a bag but my husband bought it for me as a splurge.  I didn’t want to tell her the truth because we don’t make very much money but my husband does, so I don’t want everyone to judge me because of that.  Anyway, she pushed me so I lied and said it was less than it was.  But as a Christian I don’t like to lie.  I now feel guilty for lying and mad at her for forcing me to.  Did I do the right thing?

As a Christian, what would you do and why?

Faithmate’s Ethics Advisor says…

You are certainly justified in feeling angry, as your coworker was way out of line in pushing you to give a price in front of your colleagues.  You are right: How much money you spend on something is nobody’s business; anyone who coerces you into confessing does not deserve an honest answer.  So while I don’t condone lying, you were left with little alternative.  Should the situation occur again, it is fine to tell a white lie (i.e. the kind of lie that is socially necessary and doesn’t cause harm to anyone); just tell the least lie possible.  In the case of cost questions, that would probably be to simply say you can’t remember or that you got the item as a gift (which, technically, you did).  And if your ultra-curious cubicle companion doesn’t believe you, who cares!  Maybe she’ll realize that it’s impolite to pry.

Of course, this is just one opinion!  As a Christian, do you agree or disagree?  Post your comments below…