Proverbs 17

PROVERBS 17


"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife."
(vs 1)

Similar verses appear in the Proverbs we’ve read the last two days...

"Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice."
- Prov 16:8

"Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
than great wealth with turmoil.
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened calf with hatred."
- Prov 15:16-17

I get the sense that God is telling us that love and peace are more important than ’stuff’.

Brothers & sisters, if striving to obtain material possessions and security is at the expense of righteousness and integrity, if family and relationships suffer as the result of our ambition, then we need to re-assess our priorities. In the worlds eyes we may not seem to have much, but let us remember what the Word encourages us to do -

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matt 6:19-21

If our heart is on the heavenly things of God, then we will treasure what He blesses us with here on earth. Family. Friends. Simple pleasures. Our God has promised to provide all that we truly need, if our hearts are in the right place. While many strive to find pleasure and security in inanimate things, Jesus tells us that "one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

Priorities.

"For the nations eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." - Matt 6:32-33

Seek first the Kingdom. Let us have confidence that God is our provider. He will grant us all we need as we seek Him and His righteousness; and so much more. When the pursuit of material wealth takes precedence over all else, the fruit is often, as we read, "strife", "injustice", "turmoil" and "hatred" in the home. I’ve seen it. I’ve known those whose main goal in life was to be a better provider for their families, yet worked so hard to that end that they lost the very ones that loved them because their focus was on getting what they thought they needed, rather than on what God had given them to love, cherish and enjoy. May we never compromise our integrity to gain that which is only passing away. Rather, let us walk humbly with our God and sow that which brings eternal Life.

"Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is perverse in his ways."
- Prov 28:6

Dear friends, so when it seems as though others around us have it better or easier than us, or that the "grass is greener...", chances are it ain’t so. True peace and joy cannot be found in obtaining the material things of this world, but in putting God above all, and allowing Him to work out His will in us.

God Bless & keep you,

Michael


Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.
(vs 6)

Yea, another verse that we could write a book about. :)