Bridges on Proverbs 15:16-17
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 15:16-17
 
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16.  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17.  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
 
Here are the sources of the merry heart — the fear of the LORD, and love to man. And here also is the continual feast, so satisfying, that the saint's little is better than the worldling's all.† It is his Father's gift;† the fruit of his Savior's love;† enjoyed by special promise,† and sweetened with the “great gain of godly contentment.”† If it be only little, it is not from lack of his Father's care and love; but because his wisdom knows what he really needs,† and that all beyond would be a temptation and snare. Truly “a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”† ‘Riches and poverty are more in the heart than in the hand. He is wealthy, that is contented. He is poor, that wanteth more.’† The universe will not fill a worldly,† while a little will suffice for an heavenly,† heart. “The children of light” content themselves willingly with the small pittances, which their Father allows them during the time of their minority; knowing that their main portion is reserved for them in safe keeping unto the “full age.” (1 Peter 1:4.) They are well satisfied on their way home to live rather more scantily by the way; like Joseph's brethren, who were provided with food for their journey; but their full sacks were unopened, till they reached their home. (Genesis 42:25.) Here their God compensates for everything. But what would compensate for him?
On the other hand, there must be trouble with great treasure, without the fear of the LORD. (Ecclesiastes 4:6; 5:12.) And far more destitute is its possessor in his unsubstantial happiness, than the man of God, who is “eating his bread in the sweat of his brow.” ‘Jacob's ladder, which conveys to heaven, may have its foot in the smoking cottage.’† And as to this world's comforts — the dinner of herbs, the homely meal of love, is better than the stalled ox, preparing for a sumptuous, but unbrotherly, feast.† Love sweetens the meanest food. Hatred embitters the richest feast.† How did the presence and converse of the Lord of angels dignify the humble fare!† How much more refreshing were the social meals of the Pentecostal Christians, than the well-furnished tables of their enemies!† When the Lord's ordinance of marriage is marred by man's selfishness; when wealth, rank, or adventitious accomplishments govern the choice of life's companion, rather than the fear of the LORD; what wonder if the stalled ox, and hatred therewith, be the order of the house? Mutual disappointment is too often the source of criminal indulgence abroad; always the bane of peace and unity at home.
Few, alas! practically believe this divine testimony. Parents! do you seek the solid happiness of your children? Then lead them to expect little from the world; everything from God.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 16:8. Psalm 37:16.
 
 
Proverbs 16:8
8 ¶ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
 
Psalm 37:16
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 6:11.
 
 
Matthew 6:11
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
 
 
Footnote:
2 Peter 1:3.
 
 
2 Peter 1:3
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: {to: or, by}
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 34:10; Psalm 37:3, 19. Isaiah 33:15, 16.
 
 
Psalm 34:10
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
 
Psalm 37:3, 19
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. {verily: Heb. in truth, or, stableness} 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
 
Isaiah 33:15, 16
15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; {righteously: Heb. in righteousnesses} {uprightly: Heb. uprightnesses} {oppressions: or, deceits} {blood: Heb. bloods} 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. {high: Heb. heights, or, high places}
 
 
Footnote:
1 Timothy 6:6. Philippians 4:11, 12.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:6
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
 
Philippians 4:11, 12
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 6:32.
 
 
Matthew 6:32
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 12:15.
 
 
Luke 12:15
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Hall.
 
 
Footnote:
Ecclesiastes 1:8.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 1:8
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 28:29.
 
 
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1 Peter 1:4
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, {for you: or, for us}
 
 
Genesis 42:25
25 Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 4:6
6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
 
Ecclesiastes 5:12
12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Reynolds’ Sermon on 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches} 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {willing...: or, sociable} 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 17:1; 21:19; 23:6.
 
 
Proverbs 17:1
1 ¶ Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. {sacrifices: or, good cheer}
 
Proverbs 21:19
19 ¶ It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. {in...: Heb. in the land of the desert}
 
Proverbs 23:6
6 ¶ Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 20:24-34. 2 Samuel 13:23-29.
 
 
1 Samuel 20:24-34
24 ¶ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. 25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. 26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. 27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day? 28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: 29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table. 30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? {Thou...: or, Thou perverse rebel: Heb. Son of perverse rebellion} 31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. {shall...: Heb. is the son of death} 32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? 33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. 34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
 
2 Samuel 13:23-29
23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. 25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. {have...: or, will you not, since I have commanded you?} {valiant: Heb. sons of valour} 29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled. {gat...: Heb. rode}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
John 21:9-12.
 
 
John 21:9-12
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
 
 
Footnote:
Acts 2:46. Compare Psalm 133.
 
 
Acts 2:46
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, {from...: or, at home}
 
Compare
Psalm 133.
1 ¶ (A Song of degrees of David.) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! {together...: Heb. even together} 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.