Scripture Reading:

Proverbs 15:16-17

Proverbs 15:16

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 

Just as God’s Word dictates our ethics in terms of right and wrong, it also dictates which ethics are of priority. If one thing is better than another, it is to be preferred, sought after, and valued more than the other. The lesson in this verse is simple. It is far better to be a poor man living in a shack and fearing God, than to be a rich man in a troubled, anxious state. This is because “in the fear of the Lord is strong confidence” (Prov. 14:26). The man who does not fear God, tremble at His Word, and trust in His salvation lacks the only sure anchor for his soul in the storms of life. All the money in the world will not save him from death and hell. Many rich men look to their riches for that ultimate security, but riches are an uncertain thing. Stock markets crash. Buildings burn down. Law suits can result in total loss. Even insurance and government welfare programs may not provide the total security man expects from his man-made institutions.
With all the reliance upon wealth and material security available for
developed nations today, few people feel much need for the fear of
God these days. But when these economies collapse, many will come
to appreciate the full force and relevance of this verse.

Now is the time for us to learn to be content with what we have. Now is the time for us to seek after the fear of God with a thousand times the interest that we take in developing our financial portfolios. Let us acknowledge God in everything. Let us thank Him at every opportunity. And never let us contemplate an atom, a cell, an organism, or a universe without worshiping the God who made all of it! To ignore God in the chemistry laboratory is nothing less than cosmic
treachery—ultimate treason against the Ruler of the universe!

Proverbs 15:17

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 

Here is a second ethical priority, underscored also by the Apostle Paul with his final assessment provided in 1 Corinthians 13: “The greatest of these is love.”

Compared with the tremendous wealth enjoyed in the developed world today, nations from ages past were extremely poor. Adjusted for inflation, the average household income in western nations was about $1,800 per year from AD 1300 to AD 1900. Over the next century, the average income increased to about $35,000 per year. In the ancient times, meat was considered a luxury and starvation was not altogether unusual.

But, let us apply this old proverb to the modern situation. How miserable are those homes where conversations are laced with sarcasm and hateful speech! It doesn’t matter if a family lives in an 8,000 square-foot home, complete with an indoor pool and theater room. If the parents are consumed with their own self-interests, and the children are locked in their proud rivalries, there will be no peace and joy in the home. Sometimes, there is no real conflict to speak of, but
there is still an absence of love because of an avoidance of relationship. There is little room for love when a mother deposits her infant in day care at two weeks of age, and the family fragments itself by means of corporate work, business trips, age segregated activities, and isolation by individualized entertainment (smartphones and earbuds). Such is the miserable lifestyle of the average rich family in the West.

Above all, “the greatest of these is love,” and it is love that makes a happy home. So if we would have a happy home, we will emulate love, discipline in love, and pray for love. Above all other values, this becomes the priority for our home. We look for the love of God poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit of God. Then, we will rearrange our lives by this value of love. We eliminate certain forms of isolation, entertainment, and work, if necessary. We make sacrifices for relationships. We look for ways to reintegrate the family and restore relationship. Hours spent away from the home are reduced. Love and relationships become the priority in spiritual and academic instruction for our children. We look for ways to love our children through their courtships and preparation for marriage.

More love is what is most needed in our homes. This is the love that does not seek its own, and love that is not easily provoked. It is a love that bears patiently with others, and hopes all things, and endures all things. It is Christ’s love that gives Himself up for His friends; a love that assumes the best of others; a humble love sincerely sorry for offending others; and a love well able to confront others in their spiritual struggles. Let us pray for more of this love.

No preacher, father, or teacher is ever out of order to call for more fear of God and more love of brothers and sisters! There is never enough of either one. The recent generation which has killed at least one billion of its own children (worldwide) since 1960, and plans euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide for millions more, can hardly be called loving. Without question, this age is described best by Christ’s words from Matthew 24:12—“The love of many has grown cold.” Only a most severe lapse of love and fear of God could have brought about such a tragedy. First comes academic pride and a refusal to fear God and to love Him. Proud colleges and state schools express hatred for God, by eliminating prayer and praise to God from the classrooms. Churches become man-oriented or consumer-oriented, and there comes less and less fear and love for God in the “worship” services. This is the trajectory set by the rich, post-Christian nations of the Western world. May God return a spirit of love for God as well as love for brothers and sisters to our homes and churches. Amen.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. Comparatively, are we a wealthy family or a poor family? But more importantly, do we fear God and love each other? Would you consider our home a happy home?

2. Are there adjustments that we need to make so that we will have more opportunities to learn to love in our family? What can we do to increase the love quotient in our home?