Better Is Little With the Fear of the Lordby KandD
15:16Proverbs 15:16
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Having little together with reverence for the Lord is better than possessing great treasure or large wealth joined with trouble. A small amount held with reverence for God surpasses abundant riches when those riches bring vexation and distress. The trouble bound up with great treasure includes the penalties and bitter consequences that follow from violating just laws in the eager pursuit of earthly gain.
The verse exposes those who labor with heart and mind and soul and strength to increase their possessions while failing to acknowledge God to guide their paths. Such rich men dwell much on their own perseverance, take credit to themselves for their increase, and praise themselves while never praising their Maker, though the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. In sacrificing to their own net and burning incense to their own drag, they live as truly without God as those who bow down to stocks and stones.
True wealth and happiness do not rest on the quantity of goods owned but on God's blessing and on the ability to enjoy what one has. Contentment therefore makes modest means sufficient and removes all reason to envy the prosperity of others. Even meager supplies can be made to go far under the Lord's blessing, so that trustful contentment in Him is of greater worth than abundance. The call to contentment stands because human needs are small: to bring desire down to the level of what one already possesses brings satisfaction, while coveting more only breeds continual dissatisfaction.
The principle requires refusing large and attractive offers to buy stock in uncertain enterprises and to plunge into worldly speculation, even when others are reported to have made thousands by them. It forbids acting from love of earthly possessions. In marriage, wealth and bright worldly prospects cannot create happiness where the fear of God and mutual love are neglected. When loss or misfortune strips away property, a household built on riches is left without comfort, proving that love joined with godliness outweighs abundance.
Reverence for God is itself worth more than riches, and its gain is better than fine gold. Parents therefore should make the fear of God, rather than money or worldly concerns, the prevailing theme of household conversation.
Having little together with reverence for the Lord is better than possessing great treasure or large wealth joined with trouble. A small amount held with reverence for God surpasses abundant riches when those riches bring vexation and distress. The trouble bound up with great treasure includes the penalties and bitter consequences that follow from violating just laws in the eager pursuit of earthly gain.
The verse exposes those who labor with heart and mind and soul and strength to increase their possessions while failing to acknowledge God to guide their paths. Such rich men dwell much on their own perseverance, take credit to themselves for their increase, and praise themselves while never praising their Maker, though the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. In sacrificing to their own net and burning incense to their own drag, they live as truly without God as those who bow down to stocks and stones.
True wealth and happiness do not rest on the quantity of goods owned but on God's blessing and on the ability to enjoy what one has. Contentment therefore makes modest means sufficient and removes all reason to envy the prosperity of others. Even meager supplies can be made to go far under the Lord's blessing, so that trustful contentment in Him is of greater worth than abundance. The call to contentment stands because human needs are small: to bring desire down to the level of what one already possesses brings satisfaction, while coveting more only breeds continual dissatisfaction.
The principle requires refusing large and attractive offers to buy stock in uncertain enterprises and to plunge into worldly speculation, even when others are reported to have made thousands by them. It forbids acting from love of earthly possessions. In marriage, wealth and bright worldly prospects cannot create happiness where the fear of God and mutual love are neglected. When loss or misfortune strips away property, a household built on riches is left without comfort, proving that love joined with godliness outweighs abundance.
Reverence for God is itself worth more than riches, and its gain is better than fine gold. Parents therefore should make the fear of God, rather than money or worldly concerns, the prevailing theme of household conversation.