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Wealth=Contentment
Tim Savage6Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
9But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6
I love this definition of wealth. Wealth isn’t the accumulation of money or things. It isn’t the balance in your bank account, the type of car you drive or the size of the house you live in – it’s the amount of joy and happiness in your life. I am wealthy because of my relationship with my kids, my wife, my friends, but mostly because of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to change the way we think when we hear that someone is wealthy. In fact, most of the people I know who are materially rich don’t have joy. The stakes are higher, the need is greater, to make more money and this destroys relationships. True wealth is contentment. It’s the ability to love where you’re at and your circumstances no matter what you’re facing.
A dear friend found out recently that her cancer had spread. It was reported that instead of feeling sorry for herself, she was in good spirits, strong in the Lord and praying for us. Praying for us! She is one of the wealthiest people I know. She leads a very modest life in terms of material things, but she is rich in friends, relationships and the Holy Spirit. Chasing money will never bring happiness. Desiring power, notoriety and influence won’t either. Pursuing God’s will for my life and being content in my circumstances will produce an eternal wealth beyond imagination.
Dear Heavenly Father,
May I pursue You instead of worldly riches. May I be wealthy by Your standards in relationships and contentment.
In Jesus name,
Amen
