Wednesday, August 30 2023

Listen to the Word

Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.  (Proverbs 15:16)

Today’s verse emphasizes the tremendous importance of the fear of God. First, it indicates that the alternative to fearing God is a life of turmoil. If we don’t appropriately respect God, things tend to get messy. Second, the verse points out that we would be better off to make minimum wage and have the right attitude toward God, than to have piles of cash along with the commotion of a life that neglects God. A right relationship with God is worth more than great wealth.

Another verse in Proverbs (31:30) tells us that fearing God is also more valuable than physical beauty. Riches and beauty are probably the two things our world craves more than any other (how else could you explain the existence of People magazine?). Neither even comes close to the value of a proper perspective on God.

Live the Word

What do you spend most of your energy seeking? Is it money? Beauty? Something else? Whatever it is, ask God to help you see that a right relationship with him really is more valuable that that other thing you crave.