Proverbs 16:8 Commentary and Bible Study

Two very similar proverbs have already been found in 15:16-17, but the subject there was Christian contentment and is now guidance. As the believer considers what is the will of God he is presented with choices. By these, God will test his heart to see if he really desires to be guided by the Lord, or whether he is actually seeking his own will. Is he ready to set aside his own advantage in this world because there is something even more important to him: doing the will of God in his life? The mind-set needed to seek the guidance of the Lord must make the doing of his will our highest goal.Again the proverb causes us to think about our priorities. What is more important to us: righteousness, integrity, justice, or wealth, plenty, earthly security? Sometimes our situation presents a very clear choice between the two. Which way will we go. That is the time when we see what our hearts really love. Many are able to accommodate some religion or some principles of righteousness in their lives if at the same time they can have the things they really want: luxury, comfort, possessions, status. But when a choice has to be made between one and the other, we learn what a man really values. Better is a little with righteousness, because even though a person has little of this world’s good, if he has a heart that loves the truth and a conscience that does not accuse him, and an awareness that God will provide and will not forsake him, he can be content and rest in the sovereign care of God. He can even face an unknown future in troubled times and not allow his contentment to be in the least bit diminished. From this perspective it is a better situation, for the rich man must take responsibility for the preservation of his own riches. He cannot rely on providence to do this for him, for since he has become his own god, he must take on the responsibilities of the Lord and do the task of controlling every event to his own advantage. This is beyond his capability and therefore leaves him exhausted and worried. His great revenues will attract an unhealthy interest from those who see him as a target and scheme to take away what he has. They would not be in the least interested in robbing him if all he possessed was righteousness, for they have no interest in it.If guidance leads to lower income, will we be ready to go that way? Perhaps God would have us live in a place which we would not choose for ourselves, and yet that will allow us to serve in the church to which he has led us and where we already have tasks to do for him. Will we ignore his guidance and seek for ourselves a ‘safer’ area, a larger house, more prosperous job opportunities, better schools, more well-to-do friends?