Broadly enforcing cultural norms via religion also forces those bug people to adopt a different ethos (on a surface level) in order to survive. I dunno, I’m spitballing.
It would also allow punishment by ostracization if word got out you weren't honest, people would charge you more for goods and services and demand pay upfront, and favours would never be granted. If it was an extremely bad case you would simply be exiled and have to fend for yourself. Being exiled in those days would mean you were a vagabond and those had an extremely tough time surviving as moving from your village was almost never done unless you married to someone from another village.
It would also allow punishment by ostracization if word got out you weren't honest, people would charge you more for goods and services and demand pay upfront, and favours would never be granted. If it was an extremely bad case you would simply be exiled and have to fend for yourself. Being exiled in those days would mean you were a vagabond and those had an extremely tough time surviving as moving from your village was almost never done unless you married to someone from another village.