Contemplative Bible Reading

Proverbs 17:1 (New Living Translation)

Better a dry crust eaten in peace
than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

This tells us a simple principle about priorities.

1. Take care of the physical necessities.
2. Then take care of the emotional needs.

The key word in the first principle is “necessities.” Enough bread to survive is a necessity. There are better, more enjoyable foods to eat, but a necessity is all that is required.

Once the requirements for life are met, move to the emotional needs. No one needs to be around argumentative people. We aren’t considering arguments that exercise the mind. We are considering arguments that bring unnecessary conflict and distress into life.