Better – Proverbs 12:9

There are several proverbs in Proverbs that are similar to the one we’re looking at today, the “better to” proverbs (Proverbs 16:16,19; 21:9,19).  Part of wisdom is discerning what is better between two choices, sometimes two good choices.  Paul prayed for the Philippians that God would give them “knowledge and discernment” to “approve what is excellent” (1:9,10).  Sounds like a good prayer for ourselves.

Better to be lowly and have a servant

than to play the great man and lack bread. (Proverbs 12:9, ESV)

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes said, “Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:4).  There is a temptation in us to “play the great man” or woman and make sure we look great even if we aren’t, presumably because we want to be the envy of others, want to be perceived to be successful.  This perception will give us standing and therefore influence and some sense of ‘control’ over our environment, over life.

But that is silliness.  How much better that you have a servant who helps and takes care of you even though you are lowly on the social scale.  Your life is easier, less stressful, and you are free to accomplish more than you would be otherwise.  Sometimes this is all a matter of how you have chosen not to spend great fortune on looking “great”.  You’re content with a smaller home, an older car, and less ornate clothing.  And this allows you to afford things like hired help.

I don’t remember where I saw this but the idea was to have a vehicle, a car, that looked like a heap and looked entirely undesirable to steal, but that had an incredibly powerful engine and all the amenities inside (a great sound system, heated seats, AC of course, and you would probably think of several other things you would like to have in a car).  You’d be driving a luxury car that looked like a wreck.  Would you be content with that or would you always be wondering whether others are looking down on you?

Father, may I be content to let You worry about how I look to others, and focus instead on living my life in a way that brings You honor, whether others see it or not.  Help me to make right choices, excellent choices, instead of choices that are all about how to make others think I’m great.