Proverbs 16:8

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about wealth:

Proverbs 16:8 (NASV)

Better is a little with righteousness

Than great income with injustice.

This is a much needed proverb for the day we live in.   In our world today we think that the accumulation of things brings peace, satisfaction and goodness.   However, the real measure of a person is not in the wealth they accumulate but how they handle wealth and how they use it to impact the world around them.   Wealth brings much corruption.  See:

Proverbs 15:6 (ESV)

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Proverbs 15:16-17 (ESV)

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is

than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

As we read this we have to remember that Solomon was a very, very wealthy man.  He was the most wealthiest man in the world at the time.  And, we have to remember that God gave it to him.   God promised him all these riches because he choose wisdom over wealth.   God gave him wealth and the wisdom of how to use it.  Without God's wisdom wealth can and will corrupt.   Solomon is telling us that it is better to have no wealth than to have wealth that comes via injustice and ill gain.   It matters not how much wealth you have, it appears.   But, it does seem to matter, according to Solomon, what you do with it and "HOW" you got it.   Don't measure yourself by how big your bank accounts are.   Measure yourself by HOW they are filled and how you will dispose of them.