Good Morning,

This morning we will take a look at Proverbs 15:16-17.  I delight in the certainty of God's Word, and the direct nature in which it speaks truth to each of us.  Most people live life with a faulty value system.  They value things that aren't very significant and fail to acknowledge the value of things that are truly important.  Let's take note of two significant words which form the basis of each comparative.  They are the words "better" and "than", here we have our two comparisons.  

Verse 16,  "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith."  One is far better in life who is of modest means but lives in the fear of the Lord than one who is affluent (without the fear of the Lord). The latter inevitably find trouble in life.  The problem in our country and in our churches is that most people would rather live an affluent lifestyle than to live life in a manner that is focused on honouring the Lord and living in the center of His will.

In similar fashion verse 17 states, "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." A paraphrase of the thought might be, ‘better is a dinner of beans where there is love, than a dinner with filet mignon where there is hatred.’ The thought of a “stalled ox” is that of a head of cattle fattened up (in a stall) to be butchered. The greater thought is how that a life of modest means with love and the fear of the Lord is far better than those who live in affluence with hatred and no fear of God. The world is full of the latter and they, more often than not, are miserable.

What do you value?  I have said this many times before, "The sad thing about America is we know the cost of everything and the value of nothing."  Take note when the Bible informs you of that which is better.  It makes our choices simpler, and the results far more enjoyable.

Please take time to meditate upon these thoughts.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott