Today, we’ll continue to look at the word better in Scripture and how God’s ways are better than man’s.

Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Proverbs 15;16 (KJV)

While God wants us to be blessed and have plenty, this verse compares how preferable it would be to have a reverential fear of the Lord than to have riches. Fear of the Lord will cause us to honor Him and serve Him, which brings peace. If a person is rich but does not honor the Lord, he’ll be faced with trouble without God to help him- he’ll have no peace.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs 15:17 (KJV)

This verse looks at a person living in a loving home with little in material wealth who must eat herbs. it compares him with someone who has more materially, with an ox to use and eat, but his home is filled with strife. If one has to choose between little with love and plenty with hate, it tells us it is better to choose love.

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. Proverbs 25:6-7 (KJV)

In simplest terms, this tells us humility is better than pride. Humility will keep us from being humiliated. It is better for God to promote us than for us to try to promote ourselves.

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Proverbs 28:6 (KJV)

It is better to be poor and righteous than to be rich and not live for God. Living right is more valuable than much wealth. We can be both righteous and rich, but if we could not, it would be better to choose righteousness.

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. Proverbs 27:10 (KJV)

Man often says that blood is thicker than water, meaning a relative will help us more than friends will. However, this verse tells us not to prioritize relatives over friends, especially those friends who live near us. In a time of trouble, someone nearby may be of more help than a relative that lives farther away.

As we look at the word better in the Bible, we see that our view must be united with God’s view so we can see what really matters. Tomorrow we’ll continue to look into this topic.