Finding Your Pot of Gold
Are rich
people really as happy and contented as society makes them out to be? Is there
really a “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”? Writer Rafael Badziag interviewed 21 billionaires for his
book "The Billion Dollar Secret." What
he found was that some billionaires are happy and some are miserable. And it
was not because they had more money that some were happier than others. In
fact, those who were happy and contented cited – not their riches – but family,
freedom, and relationships as those things which brought them happiness.
The reality is that anyone
who loves money and spends their life in pursuit of wealth will never be
satisfied with what they have gained. There is an ever-elusive characteristic of
living for money and possessions. He who has little, wishes he had more. He who
has much, wishes he had more still. It is a never-ending struggle to try to
find contentment through material wealth. Life will always be just "not enough." Living for riches and wealth is too big of a burden
to bear. And it never satisfies the way we dream it will in our imaginations.
True contentment means to be happy with what
you have, who you are, and where you are. It is respecting the reality of the present,
appreciating what you have, and enjoying your relationships with God and
others. If you count your blessings, rather than your problems, you will realize
how beautiful your life is – even if you lack great riches. The Apostle Paul,
confirms this truth from Solomon in 1 Timothy 6:8 – “Do your work, and if
you have food, clothes, and a place to live, be contented.” It doesn’t take great riches to live a happy
and contented life. Those who believe it does, will end up sorely disappointed
with what they find at “the end of the rainbow.”
The
Bible urges you to, “Keep your life free
from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will
never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5) Finding contentment in Christ happens
when we abide in Him. Jesus confirmed this truth when He said, “Take
care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not
consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
There is nothing greater than being joyful and content in
our relationship with Jesus. He can fill our hearts with joy in both times of
leanness and in times of plenty. So, don’t strive for riches. Strive to know
Him more intimately and you will find your “pot of gold.” It is only there you
will find lasting spiritual and eternal wealth.
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