Favor is Better than Gold
Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
We live in a world drowning in information. We know a lot. But knowing isn’t the same as believing. Belief shapes how we live. And one truth we know but often fail to believe is this: God’s favor and good character are better than wealth.
We nod our heads at this verse in Proverbs. Of course relationships, integrity, and being truly known are better than a bigger bank account. But if we’re honest, our lives often tell a different story.
The problem isn’t money itself—it’s our love for it. Jesus called this false god Mammon—money with a spirit, promising identity, significance, and security. We may not think we love money (greed is much easier to see in others), but it has a way of quietly shaping our decisions.
The Promises of Money
Solomon warns us about three of Mammon’s biggest promises:
Identity – Money whispers, “I can make you whoever you want to be.” It sneaks into how we choose brands, present ourselves, and measure our worth. But Scripture reminds us our true identity is given by God, not purchased.
Significance – We’re tempted to believe our importance rises with our income. But Proverbs 22:2 levels the ground: “The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.”
Security – Wealth can feel like a strong city, but it’s an illusion (Proverbs 18:11). Markets shift, life changes, and even the wealthiest can’t buy lasting safety.
The Life of Favor
The good news? God doesn’t wait for us to fix our love of money before showing favor. His grace comes to us—just like Jesus came to Zacchaeus in Luke 19.
Zacchaeus had built his life on money’s promises. But when Jesus called him by name, everything changed. He didn’t just know favor was better than wealth—he believed it. And belief moved him to generosity and restoration.
That’s what God’s favor does:
It gives us an identity that’s clear (John 1:12).
It gives us a significance that’s full (John 14:6).
It gives us a security that lasts (Ephesians 1:13).
From Knowing to Believing
Wisdom isn’t just knowing the truth—it’s applying it with your heart. So here’s the question: not “Do you know Jesus is better than money?” but “Do you believe He is?”
Belief shows up in how we spend, how we give, how we work, and where we place our trust. It begins with confessing our misplaced loves and asking Jesus to reorder our hearts.
Like Zacchaeus, may we joyfully trade the empty promises of money for the enduring promise of Christ—because His favor truly is better than gold.
Reflection Questions:
Which of money’s promises—identity, significance, or security—do you find most tempting?
How have you seen God’s favor provide in ways wealth never could?
What’s one way you can choose generosity over accumulation this week?
Where might God be inviting you to trust His promise instead of Mammon’s?
More Details
