I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      Much of the wisdom of the Scriptures is expressed in terms of what is better versus what is worse.

                                                             1.      In some passages, the Scriptures teach us that it is better to do what is truly good rather than to do that which only appears to be good.  In these teachings, we learn to value the wisdom of God over the wisdom of men.

                                                             2.      In other passages, we learn that it is better to accept difficult consequences for choosing good rather than to pursue seemingly pleasant results for choosing evil.

                                                             3.      Some Scriptures teach us that it is better to obtain spiritual blessings than to receive worldly wealth, acclaim, or esteem.

B.      Let us consider some of these teachings of God’s word so that we may learn the wisdom of what is better.

II.      IT IS BETTER

A.      It is better to obey than to sacrifice.

                                                             1.      Saul was taught this lesson when he attempted to justify his disobedience to God by offering sacrifices.  Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1Sam. 15:22).

                                                             2.      Sacrifice is good and necessary for servants of God, but no amount of sacrifice can substitute for faithful obedience to God.  Obedience is always better.

B.      It is better to be righteous and poor than to be wealthy, wicked, and foolish.

                                                             1.      Several passages express this lesson:

a.       Psalm 37:16 – "Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.”

b.       Proverbs 19:1 – "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.”

c.        Proverbs 19:22 – "What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar.”

d.       Proverbs 28:6 – "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich.”

                                                             2.      The wisdom of the world teaches us that wealth is the best accomplishment and any means of obtaining wealth is justified.  However, God teaches us that it is always better to be righteous regardless of our material circumstances.

C.      It is better to spend one day in service to God than to spend a thousand days doing anything else.

                                                             1.      This message is beautifully stated in Psalm 84:10 – "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.  I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

                                                             2.      This verse demonstrates how much a child of God should value the presence of God and the opportunity to worship Him.  To be in and near the house of God, which today is the Lord’s church (1Tim. 3:15), is the very best place to be.

D.      It is better to know the fear of God and the wisdom and virtues of His word than to be rich.

                                                             1.      Consider multiple passages that express various aspects of this lesson:

a.       Psalm 119:72 – "The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

b.       Proverbs 3:13-14 – "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.  For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.”

c.        Proverbs 8:11 – "For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her.”

d.       Proverbs 8:18-19 – [Wisdom says,] "Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.  My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver.”

e.        Proverbs 15:16 – "Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and turmoil with it.”

f.        Proverbs 16:8 – "Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.”

g.        Proverbs 16:16 – "How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!  And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.”

                                                             2.      Again, these teachings defy the wisdom of the world, but faith and experience teach us that these things are true.  It is always better to have the blessings that come by God’s word than to have the riches of this world.

E.       It is better to trust God for protection than to trust in man.

                                                             1.      This lesson is emphasized by repetition in Psalm 118:8-9 – "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.”

                                                             2.      This was a lesson that God’s people in Israel and Judah often failed to learn.  They trusted in themselves, their kings, and even other nations for their protection, and the result was their destruction.

                                                             3.      For us, the lesson is the same.  We must not trust in military might, a strong economy, or man’s government and technology of man to preserve us.  We must trust in God by faithfully following His word.

F.       It is better to share humility with people who are lowly in this world than to share pride with the rich and famous.

                                                             1.      Those who are proud and honor themselves are inferior to those who are truly honorable by their meek and humble conduct.  Consider these proverbs:

a.       Proverbs 12:9 – "Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant than he who honors himself and lacks bread.”

b.       Proverbs 16:19 – "It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

c.        Proverbs 25:7 – "For it is better that it be said to you, ‘Come up here,’ than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.”  (Compare to the Lord’s teaching in Luke 14:10.)

                                                             2.      These proverbs show that some pretend to be what they are not, some associate with the proud for material gains, and some exalt themselves beyond what is proper.  Rather than following any of these proud courses, it is much better to be humble and esteem yourself properly (see Rom. 12:3).

G.      It is better to have self-control and wisdom than to be a great conqueror.

                                                             1.      War, force, and intimidation represent great power and value to much of the world, but the word of God assigns more value to self-control and wisdom in these passages:

a.       Proverbs 16:32 – "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”  (Compare to James 1:19-20.)

b.       Ecclesiastes 9:17 – "The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”

c.        Ecclesiastes 9:18 – "Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.”

                                                             2.      Governing oneself by wisdom and godliness is a greater accomplishment and has greater value than conquering a city by force.  The world will not believe this, but God says it is true.

H.      It is better to have poverty with peace than to have abundance with strife.

                                                             1.      Two proverbs teach this lesson in terms of food:

a.       Proverbs 15:17 – "Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.”

b.       Proverbs 17:1 – "Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife.”

                                                             2.      This does not mean that we necessarily have to choose between peace and prosperity, but instead it is teaching priorities.  Peace and love are better than prosperity.

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      In the next lesson, we will continue to glean the wisdom of God’s word by contrasting what is better to what is worse.

B.      In all of these points, let us recognize that these lessons are true.  Everything that God calls better is truly better, and if we will abide by these lessons, then our lives will be better as well.