Tiny Tim, Scrooge & Proverbs 15:16

Last night at our Elders meeting, one of our brothers, Jim DeCoursey, drew a passing analogy that caught my attention. NOTE: We Elders, in order to "give ourselves to prayer and the Word of God" (Acts 6) are slowly working our way through Proverbs. Last night we reviewed 15:8-17. There's no particular order; we simply go as far as time permits. Our goal is to "milk" the Word for all it's nutrients, initially applying it to ourselves, then to the body at large (since we are spiritual leaders) and then more specifically to counseling. The Proverbs provide much wise guidance, so over the long haul we will hopefully gain a greater heart and be enabled to offer sane, godly advice and direction.-- 

Now, back to last night. We were discussing verse 16, "Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it." Jim pointed out the similarity between this and two central characters in Dicken's Christmas Carol-- Tiny Tim and Scrooge. Indeed, if one were to reflect on that timeless story, he could see in his mind's eye the satisfaction and contentment which radiated from the frail, diminutive Tim. It mattered little if food were scarce or skies gray, Tiny Tim exuded grace--a virtue he might not have been able to define but who's life embodied nonetheless. In stark contrast, one may recollect as well the cranky, miserly, heart-shrunken businessman who merely existed from day to day, skeptical lines etched into his hollowed out face (telltale ruts of a hollowed-out life). This picture plays in our minds while before us Proverbs 15:16 superimposes itself. And we see application pouring out in our day. If it were needed in Victorian England, how much more in this increasingly banal, materialistic culture to which we have grown so accustomed? We hardly realize how much like Scrooge we have become despite the fact that we attend pseudo Tiny Tim churches! The words are right, but the heart may often remain "hollowed-out" just the same. 

Oh, that we would fight by grace to enjoy the benefits of living simple lives. Diminutive in the eyes of the world--perhaps. But gloriously content, resting in the fear of the LORD. How timely is this word amidst personal struggles and world economies verging on collapse. Shall we not fancy the crutch to the silver spoon if only we too may pronounce that perennial yuletide benediction--"God bless us, every one." Indeed, better to have "little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it."