(箴言 17:1)
“設筵滿屋，大家相爭，不如有塊乾餅，大家相安。”
設筵滿屋在當時的背景下，往往意味著祭祀後極其豐盛的筵席，可以說是物質享受的極致；然而，如果在那樣的環境中大家卻彼此爭執、甚至鬧上法庭，那樣的豐富又有什麼意義呢？相比之下，乾餅雖然代表著物資匱乏，但如果家人之間能夠和諧相處、彼此體諒，那份平安與喜樂才是真正的無價之寶。
反思現代人的生活。我們為了追求更好的物質生活，往往投入大量的時間和精力去工作，甚至打兩份工。但人的欲望是無限的，資源和時間卻是有限的。當我們一心只想賺更多錢、住更大的房子、請更多的傭人時，我們不可避免地犧牲了與配偶、與孩子相處的時光。
有人問，有沒有可能有一些工作，無需付出就有很高的收入，？聖經教導我們，沒有不勞而獲的事，所有的物質收穫都需要付出對等的體力和心力的勞動。既然每一天都只有二十四小時，我們就必須做出選擇。如果我們能降低對物質享受的執著，就能騰出更多的空間去陪伴生命中最重要的人。在家庭中，那種買不到的和平與和諧，比滿桌的佳餚更為重要。希望我們都能學會選擇，在忙碌的生活中看見那些比金錢更珍貴的價值。
(Proverbs 17:1)
“Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.”
In the context of that time, a house full of sacrifices often meant an extremely lavish feast after a ritual, which could be seen as the ultimate in material enjoyment. However, if everyone is arguing or even taking each other to court in such an environment, what is the point of such abundance? In contrast, although a dry morsel represents a lack of resources, if family members can live in harmony and show mutual understanding, that peace and joy are the true priceless treasures.
Reflecting on modern life, we often invest a vast amount of time and energy into work, even taking on two jobs, in pursuit of a better material lifestyle. But human desires are infinite, while resources and time are finite. When we are solely focused on earning more money, living in larger houses, or hiring more servants, we inevitably sacrifice the time spent with our spouses and children.
Some ask if it is possible for there to be jobs with high income that require no effort. The Bible teaches us that nothing is gained without labor; all material harvest requires an equivalent investment of physical and mental toil. Since there are only twenty-four hours in every day, we must make choices. If we can reduce our obsession with material enjoyment, we can free up more space to accompany the most important people in our lives. In a family, the kind of peace and harmony that money cannot buy is far more important than a table full of delicacies. I hope we can all learn to choose and see the values that are more precious than money amidst our busy lives.
