1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting [on offered sacrifices] with strife.2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall share in the inheritance among the brothers. 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts. 4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips; and a liar listens to a mischievous tongue. 5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, and he who is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent or go unpunished. Proverbs 17:1-5 Amplified Bible Classic Edition.

Many parts of Proverbs are more like a patchwork quilt than a garment with a smooth flowing pattern. But there is a consistent theme that runs throughout the book of the contrast between wisdom and wickedness and the different outcomes of the path we take. So in today's verses we see that even when wise people have less, they still experience more contentment than people who cause strife. (vs 1) We see also that wisdom enables people to rise above the circumstances they may have been born in. (vs 2) Contrast that to the sort of behaviour we read of in vs 4-5.

People who choose sin take their advice from those whose lives are already corrupt and deceitful. They also don't realize that whatever contempt they show for those less fortunate in life than themselves and laugh at the misfortunes of others, they are actually showing contempt for God. Why is that? (vs 5)

Because all men and women are descendants of Adam and Eve who were created in the image and likeness of God. The New Testament writer James pointed out how wrong it is if we use our tongue to sing praise to God - and then a little later may use the same tongue to curse people “who have been made in the image of God.” (James 3:9) If only mankind had taken that truth to heart – that all people, whatever nation or ethnic group they belonged to, and whatever shade of skin or physical features they possessed – are God's creation, then how much strife, division and racism could have been avoided.

Does any of this matter? Those who are deeply involved in sinful pursuits will usually laugh in the face of anyone who tries to tell them there is a better way to live. God's wisdom is scorned and rejected. But what does vs 5 warn?

The ultimate implication of that verse is that every heart will be put on trial before God. The writer uses the picture of how a substance is put through extreme heat to test and bring out it's worth (or worthlessness) and value. In the same way God tests people's hearts. The prophet Malachi spoke of a day when God was going to do that with the people of Israel. He said that someone was coming who would “sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.” (Malachi 3:3) He went on to explain the sort of dross God will burn away and said: “The Lord declares 'at that time I will put you on trial for I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice.'” (Malachi 3:5)

There's also a positive side to when God tests hearts. In the case of Christians the apostle Peter said that the fierce trials God allows to come upon us are His way of bringing out the genuineness of our faith. He says: “These trials show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold! When your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:7) May we ever be those who have believed on Christ for salvation and who choose God's wisdom and not the world's wickedness. Our hearts then need not fear when God puts them on trial.