I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      In the previous lesson, we noticed that much of the wisdom of the Scriptures is expressed in terms of what is better versus what is worse.

B.      We will now continue our look at that which is better according to God’s word.

II.      IT IS BETTER

A.      It is better to live alone in physical discomfort than to live with a contentious woman.

                                                             1.      This message is stated three times in the book of Proverbs.

a.       Proverbs 21:9 – "It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.”

b.       Proverbs 21:19 – "It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and vexing woman.”

c.        Proverbs 25:24 – "It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.”

                                                             2.      A woman who constantly argues with members of her household and especially her husband creates great difficulty and displeasure.  The same could be said for a man, but the Proverbs are mostly addressed from a father to a son.  Such a woman should not be taken as a wife.

B.      It is better to have a good name than to be rich.

                                                             1.      This lesson regarding one’s reputation is expressed in Proverbs 22:1 – "A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold.”

a.       A good name and favor have to do with the reputation one has with others.  These are correctly established by means of good character with traits such as honor, kindness, honesty, and trustworthiness.

b.       No amount of money can buy a genuinely good name, and no one with a good name should ever trade it for any amount of money.

                                                             2.      To reinforce this lesson, consider Ecclesiastes 7:1 – "A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.”

a.       "Good ointment” is used for healing, but the value of a good name is greater than health.

b.       The day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth because at death a person’s good name has already been established.  At death, his reputation is sealed forever.

C.      It is better not to vow at all than to make a vow you will not keep.

                                                             1.      This principle is stated in Ecclesiastes 5:5 – "It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”

a.       This teaches us that there is greater shame in making false vows (i.e., lying) than there is in making no vows at all.

b.       One who makes false vows does so strictly for show.  He wants the honor of being a devout man, but his commitment is empty and vain.  (Consider the Lord’s teachings in Matthew 6:1-18 regarding those who practice their religion to be seen by men.)

                                                             2.      A similar lesson was taught by Jesus in the parable of the two sons (Matt. 21:28-32).

a.       The son who vowed to serve his father but did not was disobedient, but the son who did not vow to serve his father but later changed his mind was obedient.

b.       Jesus showed that the substance of our faith is in obedience and not just in words.

D.      It is better to go to the house of mourning (a funeral) than to a house of feasting (a party).

                                                             1.      This lesson is taught in Ecclesiastes 7:2 – "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.”

a.       This appears to defy logic, for mourning is unpleasant, while feasting is joyful.

b.       However, it is the perspective gained in the house of mourning that makes it so valuable.  A mourner realizes that he too will die, and so he lives his life in preparation for that day.

                                                             2.      This is further expressed in Ecclesiastes 7:3-4 – "Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad a heart may be happy.  The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.”

a.       Again, an apparently illogical statement is proved to be true.  Sorrow can actually produce happiness in the heart because it can lead to wisdom and righteousness.

b.       The mind of the wise sees an opportunity for understanding in the house of mourning (see Prov. 1:5), but fools seek only pleasure while neglecting wisdom (see Prov. 1:7).

E.       It is better to be rebuked by wise men than to avoid embarrassment.

                                                             1.      Two passages of Scripture teach this lesson.

a.       Proverbs 27:5 – "Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed.”

b.       Ecclesiastes 7:5 – "It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools.”

                                                             2.      Concealed love withholds a needed correction, and the song of fools imparts nothing of value to the hearer.  It is much better to be rebuked, embarrassed for a time, and taught wisdom than to remain foolishly happy and entertained in ignorance and sin.

F.       It is better to take extreme measures to avoid sin than to be cast into hell.

                                                             1.      The Lord taught this lesson by saying we should even cut off body parts if they cause us to sin.

a.       Whether it is an eye (Matt. 5:29; 18:9; Mark 9:47), a hand (Matt. 5:30; 18:8; Mark 9:43), or a foot (Matt. 18:8; Mark 9:45), it is better for you to live without it than to keep it and be cast into an eternal, fiery hell.

b.       Not only did Jesus say to cut these off, but He also said to throw them away from you.

                                                             2.      Let’s understand the meaning of the Lord’s teaching.

a.       Obviously, cutting off body parts is an extreme measure.  Anyone who is strong enough to cut off his body parts can surely bring the members of his body under control.

b.       The body parts named by Jesus are representative of the paths through which sin is committed.  The eye sees that which provokes lust, the hand takes hold of that which is desired by the lustful heart, and the foot takes a person to places where he should not go.

c.        The practical lesson is that Christians must avoid the causes of sin at all costs.  We must stay away from temptations and evil influences that threaten our souls even if we have to take extreme measures to do so (quitting jobs, severing relationships, etc.).

G.      It is better to die than to cause a child to do evil.

                                                             1.      In Matthew 18:6, Jesus said, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

                                                             2.      In this context, Jesus showed that it is wrong to cause any of His followers to sin, but leading an innocent child into evil is especially damning.

a.       Parents especially need to take this matter to heart, for if they expose their children to environments and influences that teach sin and error, then they will pay a severe penalty.

b.       Too many children stumble because of TV, friends, school, and even their own parents.

H.      It is better to suffer for doing what is right than to suffer for doing what is wrong.

                                                             1.      Notice 1Peter 3:17 – "For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”

                                                             2.      When faced with the choice of suffering at the hands of men for doing right or suffering at the hands of God for doing wrong, the choice is easy: always do what is right.  "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

I.        It is better not to know about the gospel than to know about it and turn away.

                                                             1.      Notice 2Peter 2:21 – "For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.”

                                                             2.      It would be very sad to never hear the gospel of Christ, but it would be even worse to know it and turn away from it.

a.       Peter says that Christians who turn away from the Lord (see v. 20) would have been better off if they had never known Him.  This is because "they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame” (Heb. 6:4-8).

b.       This is a fearful warning to Christians concerning apostasy.  There is no "once-saved-always-saved” for straying Christians, but instead there is only "a certain terrifying expectation of judgment” (Heb. 10:26-31).

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      Once again, let us recognize that these lessons are divinely wise and 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.

B.      Even if we are doing "good enough,” let’s not settle for "good enough.”  Let us always strive to do better and "excel still more” (1Thess. 4:1, 10).  Unless we have reached the level of Christ, which we have not and will not, we can always do better.