Content With “Herbs”

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

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

Suppose that you have been invited to two dinners: a “vegetarian buffet” and a “carnivore’s delight.” Today’s Scripture suggests you attend the one with the less backbiting!

Imagine a scanty meal—“a dinner of herbs”—eaten by people who love one another. Although the food is less than appealing, the diners love each other, making the atmosphere hospitable. Now, visualize an extravagant feast—“a stalled [fattened] ox”—attended by people who hate one another. They fuss and fight, verbally slaughtering each other. These carnivores sound as though they not only want to eat the ox, but each other as well!

Though the meal of herbs is less than superb, at least those eating it love one another, thus sharing what little they have with one another. The greedy meat-eaters hate one another, so despite the abundance of food, they refuse to share, and persist in animosity. Eat not with the meat eaters, for they may (figuratively) eat you!

Read the verse preceding today’s Scripture: “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith” (Proverbs 15:16). A millionaire can afford an abundance of fine foods (the “stalled ox”), but if his or her life is plagued by hatred, what good is that material wealth? How can he or she be happy? One who can only afford herbs for dinner may not have much, but the love he enjoys outlasts any material wealth, and he rejoices in that fact.

Most Christians are not (and most have never been) millionaires and billionaires: the “Hollywood Christian” leaders are something else entirely. Their houses are meager and modest, not luxurious castles and condominiums. Most do not drive exotic vehicles or enjoy international vacations. Their meals do not consist of fine, imported foods. Most do not wear expensive designer clothing. While they lack many of the possessions that the world deems “necessary,” they have the Lord, and He has them! 🙂

Better is few possessions with the Lord, than much wealth without Him, and we are content with “herbs.”