Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. Proverbs 16:8
“Unjust social systems are often the cause of poverty. Examples include unjustly low wages (Jeremiah 22:13), loans with excessive interest (Exodus 22:25-27), a legal system in which the wealthy get far better outcomes than the poor (Leviticus 19:15), and social prejudice against immigrants or minorities (Exodus 22:21, 23:9). There are few societies in which these conditions have not existed. And while there is poverty caused by foolishness, Proverbs insists that poverty is not always shameful. In every poor population there are many of strong, even blameless (19:1) moral character who have been swept up in the complex forces that create poverty. These “better than” proverbs show that it is quite possible to be poor and still a man or woman of love rather than hatred (15:17), of humility rather than pride (16:19) of righteousness rather than injustice (16:8), and of honesty rather than lying (19:22).”
Timothy & Kathy Keller in God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs (New York: Penguin, 2017) Reading for November 30.
As we drill down on the idea of “gain” in the Scriptures we start to realize that God’s Word calls us to live differently than the financial systems around us. That might even mean that by choosing not to participate in “what everyone else is doing” we might come to a place of suffering rather than flourishing.
This “better than” proverb reminds us that it is better to have a little and follow God’s design for life and living than to have gain with injustice. The world cares how much we make. God cares how we make it. Think about how you earn income. If Jesus went to work with you, would He find your gain comes as a result of just systems or injustice?
Today we wrap up the week at Family Camp with “The Mission Every Family Must Choose to Accept” teaching from the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46). While the world aims to get great gain for selfish purposes, good and faithful families use all they gain to show their faith in loving service of the least deserving.