Life’s Better Things
In the opening verses of Proverbs we are told the purpose of the book.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety [cleverness, skillfulness] to the simple [immature and unlearned], to the young man knowledge and discretion. PROVERBS 1:1-4
The instruction given in the book of Proverbs teaches those who may be unlearned and immature to know wisdom and have words of understanding in order to know justice, right judgment, equity and discretion. Some of this instruction provides the answer to a recurring question in life, “Which is the better choice?” Here are some tremendous truths given in God’s Word concerning life’s better things!
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. PROVERBS 3:13-14
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Riches and honour are with me [wisdom]; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. PROVERBS 8:11, 18-19
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. PROVERBS 16:32
The desire of a man is [measured by] his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. PROVERBS 19:22
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. PROVERBS 21:9
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. PROVERBS 15:16
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. PROVERBS 15:17
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. PROVERBS 16:8
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver! PROVERBS 16:16
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. PROVERBS 17:1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. PROVERBS 19:1
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. PSALM 37:16
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. PROVERBS 28:6
Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. PSALM 63:3
A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand [elsewhere]. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. PSALM 84:10
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. PSALM 118:8-9
Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. ECCLESIASTES 4:6
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. ECCLESIASTES 4:13
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. ECCLESIASTES 7:5
The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. PSALM 119:72
Our Bibles are divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New. The word ‘testament’ should be ‘covenant’. When the new covenant was initiated on the Day of Pentecost the first covenant became old. The book of Hebrews goes into great detail on the differences of the two, and identifies the better of the two.
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better covenant. HEBREWS 7:22
But now hath he [Jesus Christ] obtained a more excellent service, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. HEBREWS 8:6
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. HEBREWS 9:12
Jesus Christ taught that life’s better choice is to seek first and foremost the kingdom of God and His righteousness. God knows our needs and when we keep Him first He will supply all our need according to His riches in glory!
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (for after all these things do the nations seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. MATTHEW 6:26, 31-33
