A Better Life

These weekly devotionals I will be posting come from and are copyright to Pam Iannello, my pastor's late wife who went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2008.



Better: Having good qualities in a greater degree than another; more advantageous; more acceptable; more safe

Eccles. 4:6 (KJV)
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

Psalm 37:16 (KJV)
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Proverbs 15:16-17 (KJV)
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. [17] Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Proverbs 16:8 (KJV)
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Proverbs 17:1 (KJV)
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

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

No doubt about it, the Bible teaches that there are certain things that make for a better way of life. Nevertheless, the world has it’s own ideas on this subject! Scripture reveals that less, coupled with virtue, is better; the world believes gain alone is best. Whose side are YOU on, dear lady? How does your life prove your answer? Are you exhibiting a better way of life?

Not only is this true of the world, there are also many believers today who are discontent with merely a handful of treasures. Christians are grabbing at all this world has to offer with both hands, despite the fact that their obsessive pursuits bring travail and vexation of spirit. Although their priorities have suffered severely, they continue their quest for more. Ladies, when our lives are devoted to the acquisition of wealth, we are wasting all our energy toiling for things that cannot bring true peace and contentment. God says there is a BETTER way of life! Though you may gain the whole world, it will still be too little. Affluence gained by fighting and friction with family and friends is worthless! Take scriptural advice: A smaller portion in a godly environment is the better accomplishment.

Psalm 119:72 (KJV)
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Proverbs 3:13-14 (KJV)
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. [14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Proverbs 8:17-21 (KJV)
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. [18] Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. [19] My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. [20] I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: [21] That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Proverbs 16:16 (KJV)
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

How many of us can sincerely say, as did the psalmist, that God’s law is better to us than thousands of gold and silver? Ladies, I fear that we are no better than Judas – selling our Savior off for little more than thirty pieces of silver! It takes very little extra money to pull God’s people away from faithful church attendance, from consistent Bible reading, and from actively serving the Lord. Many refuse to consider life in the ministry simply because it might mean a reduction in their standard of living. It is also unfortunate that scores of blood-bought believers are pitiable tithers and few will part with their silver and gold to give faithfully and liberally to mission programs via the local church. God help us for refusing a BETTER value system! Wisdom promises us true wealth; its merchandise is of a rare quality that this world cannot duplicate! The profit of wisdom is of phenomenal portions! The Lord offers true treasures, yet man insists on settling for revenue of a lesser grade. So then, dear lady, are you exhibiting the fact that it is better to get wisdom than gold? Again, how does your life prove your answer?

1 Tim. 6:6 (KJV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Today we have learned there is a BETTER life to be had. But I wonder how many of us will be wise enough to choose great gain?

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2004 Pamela A. Iannello Meet Ms. Pam

Other Rise and Shine Devotionals
New Beginnings Baptist Church Website