Today’s Reading: Ecclesiasties 5 & 6
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment