Proverbs 15:16 - Exposition

Better is little with the fear of the Lord. The good man's little store, which bears upon it the blessing of the Lord, is better than great treasure and trouble therewith, i.e. with the treasure ( Proverbs 16:8 ; Psalms 37:16 ). The trouble intended is the care and labour and anxiety attending the pursuit and preservation of wealth. "Much coin, much care" (comp. Ecclesiastes 6:4 ). It was good advice of the old moralist, " Sis pauper honeste potius quam dives male; Namque hoc fert crimen, illud misericordiam ." Vulgate, thesauri magni et insatiabiles, "treasures which satisfy not;" Septuagint, "Great treasures without fear (of the Lord)." Christ's maxim is, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" ( Matthew 6:33 ).