Money is not everything! Today’s reading in Proverbs cuts through the fever of acquiring and trusting in wealth. It mentions there are some things better than wealth.
Better is a little with godliness than to be rich and dishonest (Proverbs 16:8). Wisdom and sound judgment are better than gold and silver (Proverbs 16:16). It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share wealth with the proud (Proverbs 16:19). It is better to eat a dry crust in peace than to feast in a house full of conflict (Proverbs 17:1). Godliness, wisdom and sound judgment, humility, and peace are better than riches. There is nothing wrong with wealth, but there are certainly things better than wealth.
Proverbs also talks about a misperception when it comes to wealth. The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. (Proverbs 18:11, NLT) Yet, what does Proverbs say about those who trust in high walls? …anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster. (Proverbs 17:19, NLT) The Bible also clarifies that riches can be gone in the blink of an eye. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears… (Proverbs 23:5, NLT) If riches are unstable and fleeting, can one go anywhere for safety? The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10, ESV)
The LORD is here to stay—that fortress is not coming down. Riches can dissolve overnight, but godliness, wisdom, good judgment, humility, and peace are all things money cannot buy; these are true wealth. So, some people have a lot of money for a relatively short time; others are genuinely wealthy. To be deceived on this is to be greatly disappointed.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 16-18.