Bible in 90, Day 46: It’s not about the benjamins baby

Proverbs 7-20

*image courtesy of mompes at stock.xchng

What could be better than money?  I’m glad you asked!  Solomon had a lot to say about money.  This is not shocking when you consider that he was the wealthiest man alive in his day.  When we get to Ecclesiastes tomorrow, we’ll see that Solomon did some experimenting with the ability of money to buy happiness.  He found out, long before the Beatles told us, “money can’t buy me love.”  I’m sure you’ve heard the stories of tragedy that seem to follow after winning the lotto.  Several verses from today’s reading show us what could be better than money:

Proverbs 15:16-17; 16:8; 16:16; 16:19; 17:1; 19:1; 19:22

We learn in these verses that, among other things, the fear of the Lord, righteousness, wisdom & understanding, humility & innocence, peace & quiet, and love are all better than money & wealth.  There is nothing wrong with working hard, saving, and being wise with the money one earns.  In fact, Proverbs is full of calls to do just that!  However, money itself can never replace the things listed above.  Working hard to provide for oneself and one’s family is commendable.  Slaving away, stealing, or being dishonest in order to just amass wealth is foolish and sinful.  Ultimately, money can’t buy the thing which are truly valuable.

Some of the leanest times in my life have been some of the happiest times, the times I’ve felt closest to my family, and certainly the times I’ve been the most thankful for everything I have.  When Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred,” I can sympathize.  I’ve sat around Thanksgiving feasts that were absolutely miserable, and I’ve sat at a table with little more than beans and bread and felt so thankful to have my wife and my two boys with me to share in it.  It is not the great food that makes the meal, it is the company of the people I love, under the God I love.

Proverbs 16:16 says that wisdom and understanding are better than gold and silver.  All the wealth in the world won’t compensate for a foolish heart.  As it’s said, “you can’t fix stupid.”  What do you get when you give a fool a lot of money? You don’t have to look far in our culture today to get your answer there.

Let’s remember that money isn’t everything.  Money is a tool, it is not a god.  Let’s make sure our money is serving us, not the other way around.  Let’s honor God with our money, and remember that there are a lot worse things that being broke!

*originally at Words of Reason