“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.”
This is another of Solomon’s clear contrast verses. It is always tempting to make assumptions that the writer never does. This is too often done with many verses of scripture. A person with much is not necessarily causing or involved with injustice. Solomon makes it clear that having a little of whatever we desire is a better situation to find ourselves in as we are live rightly than it would be to gain a lot through unjust means. It is said that the President of Russia is a billionaire many times over and that his wealth has been accumulated at the expense of his people. That would be a clear example of this truth. However, as with much of scripture, the personal application is the goal. Often in business and life we are given the opportunity to succeed or gain at the expense of others. Success through fair competition or by offering a superior product, excellence in service and even creative marketing (as long as it’s honest) while utilizing the gifts God has given us is actually an amazing thing to watch. Beating a competitor or taking advantage of a client, customer or neighbor through deception is an ugly thing to the Godly, both in witnessing it and doing it. It is clearly better to operate with integrity in all areas of life and have less than to accumulate much through evil and injustice. The benefits start with sleeping better but also include all the levels of peace and joy found in living rightly in a broken world. Having a lot does not impress the God who owns it all and in view of eternity who else really matters. Today live rightly and rest in whatever God chooses to bless you with. #BeTheEdge
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV
