Walking with the Wise #237: Just a Little

“Better is a little with righteousness

than great revenues with injustice.”
—Proverbs 16:8

Each morning when we wake up and just before our feet hit the floor, we have a decision to make about how we are going to live our lives. We may not think of it then, but subconsciously we have a good idea as to how the day is going to unfold. And between the bathroom and the coffee maker, we must decide—how am I going to live my life today? Am I going to spend it in pursuit of that which is true and real, or am I going to go after that which the world and my flesh tell me is valuable?

Depending on the choice we make, our life will take one of two trajectories—we will either pursue God and do what He desires or pursue the things of this world. If we pursue God, we will live righteously, which means that we will probably (although not always) have materially less than those who go after the things of this world. The Bible teaches us that we if go hard after God and live a life that is pleasing to Him then we are better off with righteousness and little in the way of material goods than we are if we live unrighteous or unjust lives and make a ton of money.

Living for the things of this world or for the dictates of our flesh is a bit like throwing a boomerang with each sinful choice, hoping they don’t come back. But they do come back—all of them. One by one they will return—some are smaller and come back quicker while others are larger and take a bit longer to return, but they will return, causing many problems and great pain.

Living for Christ is just the opposite—we may not have a great deal in terms of material goods, but we live in the knowledge that the choices we made for God will not harm us—instead they will encourage, embolden, and bless us to live a life pleasing in His sight.

May God enable us to be aware of the consequences of our actions. May we turn from the evil and ungodly things that are doomed to pass away, and turn to the Lord our Savior who gave His life on our behalf. May we be content with our Lord’s provision and promises, knowing that this world is not our home, and that if we are blessed with little, but with God’s favor, then we are blessed a lot more than those who have much and God’s displeasure. Amen.