Proverbs 15:16–17: Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.
Insight
A good illustration of this is found in the life of Daniel. He was taken as a slave into Babylon when he was just a young man. He showed remarkable ability, so he was put with the wise men to be trained for government service. He was to be given a certain diet which he refused to eat because it was forbidden to the Jews by the laws of God. He asked instead for a diet of cereal. He did this because of his fear of the Lord. He wanted to serve God. He made him prime minister to Nebuchadnezzar, the first great world ruler. When the Persians took over, God again made Daniel the prime minister to the second great world ruler, Cyrus the Great. God honored His servant. 1
Application
Jesus explained in simply terms how best to relate to Him in Mark 10:13–14: “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Are you approaching Jesus like a child who is completely dependent upon their parent for everything? Jesus desires us to grow up spiritually, but to always have that child-like faith of absolute dependance upon Him.
Motivation
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Let love be more important than lovely stuff. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, thank You for teaching me about important life priorities.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Proverbs) (electronic ed., Vol. 20, p. 137). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.