Posted on 11/15/2022 12:43:36 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith” (Proverbs 15:16-17).
You’re better off being poor as a church mouse, fear God, and live for Him then to have all the money and all the wealth of this world. Paul tells us in First Timothy 6 that we came into the world with nothing and we are going to leave the world with nothing, so why are you running around trying to accumulate a bunch of junk? That isn’t the purpose of life. If God does give you things, don’t get attached to them. Any time some becomes more important to you than being in church or reading your Bible—it’s time to get rid of it.
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith,” how about Agrippa. He had great treasures. Paul said, “And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds” (Acts 26:29). Paul didn’t have anything but the cloak on his back. Paul was much better off fearing God than was Agrippa there with all his robes and royal attire. Paul didn’t have any crowns in this life, but as he saw his death approaching he spoke of a crown of righteousness laid up for him in glory.
Warning to the rich are given in First Timothy 6:6-10: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” It goes on to say, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (I Timothy 6:17-19).
It is more important to lay hold on our potential for Christ and to use what they have for Christ than it is to lay hold on treasures.
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,” here fear and love is contrasted. It is better to fear than to be rich from the previous verse to it is better to be where love is and having nothing to having plenty where hate is. You have to destitute to be eating nothing but herbs—unless you are on a restricted diet—most people look to have some kind of meat with their dinner. Now, some countries such as the Philippines often have a rich meal eating only herbs and enjoy it.
“. . . than a stalled ox and hatred therewith,” what good is a freezer full of steaks and other meats in a house where all you have is hatred in the house and hatred in the heart: “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (Proverbs 16:8). America is filled with lots of millionaires that have plenty, but there is no love in their homes. They are incapable of knowing what true love is unless they are saved, and very few rich men are ever saved.
One man that was a millionaire gave all of his money on a regular basis to missions and he himself lived in an one-room efficiency apartment. He said, “I have all I need, and I’m happy to have a part in getting all those people saved in other countries. If I lose money on earth, I’ll gain it all back in the next life.” People don’t understand that, but “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
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Peace in relationships is beyond worth.
Money just can’t buy it or make up for it.
I disagree with some of both: a) the translation, and b) the commentary. Might be able to return to the topic, later.
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, etc.?
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