Would you be content with a small serving of vegetables and love?

PROVERBS 15:17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.

This is a nice simple proverb isn’t it? How do you feel about it? I think this is a little saying which most of us would happily affirm, even a meat eater like me. In fact I think this just became my favourite. This proverb finds fulfilment in the cross of Jesus, who gave up everything in love for us, to overcome our hatred and bring us back to himself.

But do we really affirm it? If wisdom suggests happiness isn’t found in the quality of stuff we have, even the quality of food we eat but rather the quality of our relationships, do we live that way?

When it comes to quality of food do you think we’re more content than previous generations or less?  Are we spending more time on the quality of our relationships or less? If we lost a lot of the quality of lifestyle we’ve enjoyed but still had the ones we love, would we be content or would we complain? Do we affirm this proverb in how we live?

Head: Why is love better than a fattened calf? How does the cross of Jesus help us understand the wisdom of this proverb?

Heart: What have you treated as most valuable? Has that been wise or unwise? How would you feel about living on some boiled veggies but with close connection with those you love? Why?

Hands: What steps can you take to simplify some areas of your life and devote yourself to others in love?

Prayer: Heavenly Father Thank you for the love you’ve shown me in Jesus at such cost. Forgive me for when I’ve been foolish and valued quality stuff over quality love. Please give me wisdom to live like Jesus, content in what I have, letting go of luxury to give to those I love. Amen

A song to listen to: What Love My God

Ryan Dehnert

This Grow Daily was originally posted as part of the Must See Passages series in 2016. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the best of Grow Dailys over the years.