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SOMETHING BETTER (2 OF 2)
by Marion Clark
Scripture: Proverbs 15:16-19
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Something Better (2 of 2)
Series: Proverbs
D. Marion Clark
Proverbs 15:16-19
Introduction
As Americans of ingenuity, we are always looking for something better - a better way to travel, to produce energy, to clean stains. That zeal to improve our lot pushes us to make the many improvements in technology that we have. But sometimes what we need to do is not try to create something better, but appreciate what already is best. Our proverbs this morning cause us to pause and reflect on what is better in life.
Text
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
To keep us on the right track for what these proverbs are saying, let's be clear about what is being contrasted. Solomon (the wealthiest king of Israel) is not saying better a little than a lot. He is not saying, in this case, it is better to be poor than rich or to have little food than much food. Discussing those things would be insightful, but they do not form the real issue. The matter before us is what has real value.
What has real value seems clear. At least for Christians, we would all agree that living a holy life before the Lord is better than a wealthy but troubled life. And anyone would prefer being in a house or community where, though there is no money to spend on expensive cuts of meat, yet there are real loving relationships than living where the relationships have soured. As you know, I like to draw from literature in my sermons. So, as I was reading the comic pages, I came to one of my favorite strips, ''Zits.'' The teenager Jeremy observed several scenes of his parents showing affection and enjoying the simple pleasures of home life. The final panel shows him bemoaning, ''And the winner of the 'Person Whose Life Least Resembles Anything on MTV' award is Jeremy Duncan!'' Jeremy aside most of us would choose a happy, loving home life than a cool, messed up s ...
Series: Proverbs
D. Marion Clark
Proverbs 15:16-19
Introduction
As Americans of ingenuity, we are always looking for something better - a better way to travel, to produce energy, to clean stains. That zeal to improve our lot pushes us to make the many improvements in technology that we have. But sometimes what we need to do is not try to create something better, but appreciate what already is best. Our proverbs this morning cause us to pause and reflect on what is better in life.
Text
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
To keep us on the right track for what these proverbs are saying, let's be clear about what is being contrasted. Solomon (the wealthiest king of Israel) is not saying better a little than a lot. He is not saying, in this case, it is better to be poor than rich or to have little food than much food. Discussing those things would be insightful, but they do not form the real issue. The matter before us is what has real value.
What has real value seems clear. At least for Christians, we would all agree that living a holy life before the Lord is better than a wealthy but troubled life. And anyone would prefer being in a house or community where, though there is no money to spend on expensive cuts of meat, yet there are real loving relationships than living where the relationships have soured. As you know, I like to draw from literature in my sermons. So, as I was reading the comic pages, I came to one of my favorite strips, ''Zits.'' The teenager Jeremy observed several scenes of his parents showing affection and enjoying the simple pleasures of home life. The final panel shows him bemoaning, ''And the winner of the 'Person Whose Life Least Resembles Anything on MTV' award is Jeremy Duncan!'' Jeremy aside most of us would choose a happy, loving home life than a cool, messed up s ...
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