Illogical

by Donna Schaper | published on Jun 1, 2026

Discussion Questions 

  1. Read Proverbs 15; you can find it here. Then read the devotional below, “Illogical.”  
  1. The writer highlights some of the unjust contradictions with which we live—for example, how the horrors of war can also prompt people to drive less as gas prices skyrocket. What illogical contradictions have you been grappling with in your daily life? 
  1. Proverbs 15 highlights human foolishness that otherwise masquerades as success and strength. How is God’s wisdom illogical by human measures? 
  1. When have you chosen to give or to accept “a small serving of vegetables with love” over “a fattened calf with hatred”? 

Devotional 

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. – Proverbs 15:16-17 (NIV) 

Something interesting is happening. People are falling out of love with our cell phones. States are banning them in schools. Parents are sending their kids to tech-free summer camps. More people are taking digital vacations and turning on their “away” signs. Others are attending AI workshops, concerned that AI is going to gobble up the water and raise electric rates. Gas prices are causing more turmoil of the pocketbook. While it is likely that airline prices will never go down, it is also likely that people will fly less. The earth is smiling as carbon emissions emit less. 

There is a subtle appreciation of less as we give up more. A small serving of love is better than a feast of hate. The giving up is both proverbial and passive. Much is being stolen from us. Still, there is a silver lining in less digitality and less gas. Its name is peace. As turmoil and hatred increase algorithmically, peace decreases. Won’t it be weird if the wars that kill innocent people simultaneously help the environment be decreasing gas use due to high prices? 

The biblical concept of less being more is true. Long ago I enjoyed the joke that I would stop drinking vodka when it ran out in 2053. Maybe I don’t need to wait. Maybe the proverbial will become the kick in the buttinski I need to stop flying, stop driving, stop stressing, and start living. Then again, how will I get to work? 

Prayer
Holy Spirit, you who promise a different kind of wealth, educate us. Before it is too late. Amen.

Donna SchaperAbout the Author
Donna Schaper is an interim Pastor at the United Church of Gainesville, Florida, and author, most recently of Remove the Pews—first from your theology, then from your building.