Peace Week: How Much Would it Take?

“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” (Proverbs 17:1)

My good friend Kevin used to play this game with me called, “How much would it take?” It was a simple game. He’d ask me how much money I would need to do something outrageously embarrassing or dangerous. (e.g., “How much would it take for you to moon that big, mean-looking guy with the tattoo on his forehead?”)

peace_350My responses usually involved huge amounts of money. It’s a good thing Kevin wasn’t a billionaire, or I would have been in big trouble.

In essence, Kevin was asking me to place a value on my peace of mind. Was there a number that would justify filling my life with momentary and/or ongoing strife?

Today’s verse says, “Don’t do it.” Don’t trade your peace of mind for a life of strife. Being broke is better than having a house full of cool stuff if it comes with constant conflict around you or in your head.

Think: Does having money or nice stuff always bring some strife to a household? Why does it sometimes bring strife? Is there anything you could personally do to make your household more peaceful?

Pray: Ask God to help you not to value money or material things over peace of mind. Ask him to give you the wisdom to know how much of your time and energy to give to chasing either of them.

Do: Ask a parent or two how they feel about the ratio in their household between strife and “peace and quiet.”