Better than wealth

The book of Proverbs is full of comparisons that are designed to show relative worth of various things in life. The most common of these is the comparison between monetary wealth and other less tangible treasures that are available to us all. A brief look at some of these comparisons is very powerful – particularly when you consider that the man who spoke these things was one of the richest men who ever lived, and even more so in light of how much importance our culture places on monetary wealth.

The most common comparison in Proverbs is between wisdom and wealth. Proverbs 3:15-16 states that wisdom is “more precious than jewels and nothing you desire compares with her.” This same comparison is made in Proverbs 8:11, where we are told that “Wisdom is better than jewels and all desirable things cannot compare with her.” And again we see this comparison in Proverbs 16:16, which tells us “how much better it is to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” Wisdom truly is better than wealth, and we need to be reminded of that daily in a culture that downplays wisdom and exalts wealth.

Proverbs 15:16 says, “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.” In other words, the fear of God is better than wealth. Once again, our culture tells us the very opposite of this. Sadly this is often just as true in the church, as is easily seen in the fact that there is so little talk or even mention of the fear of God and so much talk about financial prosperity.

Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” In other words, love is better than wealth. The powerful truth of this statement is seen in the sad fact that so many people and families with monetary wealth experience so little, if any real love in their life. As the number of people caught in the trap of materialism grows to an all time high, so does the number of broken homes, marriages and other relationships.

Proverbs 16:8 says, “Better is a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” In other words, righteousness is better than wealth. Again, it isn’t hard to see that the message our culture gives us is a very different one. In fact the very idea that there might be such a thing as righteousness, or a “right way” to live is in itself offensive to a large portion of society. The irony is that, while our culture has all but eradicated the concept of an absolute standard of right and wrong, it constantly preaches the “gospel” that being wealthy is the “right” way to live.

Proverbs 16:19 says, “Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” In other words, humility and compassion are better than wealth and pride. Not surprisingly, our culture again sends us a very different message. Far more often than not, wealth becomes a one-way street, and once most people start down it, they have little interest in looking back. As their pride in their accomplishments grows, so does the distance between them and the unfortunate “oppressed” behind them.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” In other words, having a good reputation is better than having wealth. Unfortunately the idea of a good reputation having any merit is all but lost in our culture. Sadly, the only reason many successful people are concerned about their reputation, is because they can see that it has a direct affect on their business success.

Proverbs 28:6 says, “Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.” In other words, moral integrity is better than wealth. You don’t have to look far in the world today to find out that, judging by actions alone, there are many people who do not believe this is true.

Given the time and culture that we live in, I believe we need to constantly remind ourselves of the real value of monetary wealth compared with such things as wisdom, reverence for God, love, righteousness, humility, a good reputation, and integrity.