The Smallest Tool of Prosperity

Proverbs 17:1 (ESV) Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

This chapter of Proverbs largely deals with the problems created by speech. First is mentioned strife, which even when accompanied by plenty is so problematic poverty would be preferred!

Proverbs 17:9 (ESV) Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

The next troubling sort of speech is that of gossip. A true friend will make sure someone's troubled life is safe while a confession is made. But the person who travels with betrayed speech is divisive and unloving. 

Proverbs 17:10 (ESV) A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

The responses of the fool and wise man are contrasted here. A wise man will receive the words that may hurt but ultimately heal him. A fool will never learn. 

The chapter moves on to general wisdom sayings. Some of the important warnings:

Proverbs 17:13 (ESV) If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

This saying calls us to consider that famed Biblical mantra: We reap what we sow. If we pour evil out we will get more evil in. 

The last verse circles back to the topic of speech. 

Proverbs 17:28 (ESV) Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

In a chapter filled with contrasts of the fool and the wise, we see one common area of concern - the tongue. Should we let it run free, the tongue will damage our lives and the lives of those around us. But when we restrain our speech and seek to learn from the hard words that challenge us we prosper in life. 

In the end, that small tool of prosperity is the one in our mouths.