YOU CAN BE RICH AND YET BE MISERABLE (PART 4)
" ... for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Phil 4:11-13 (KJV).
The Christian is most blessed above all others, chiefly because of his ability to live above, or rather, weather through the circumstances of life. According to Apostle Paul, he had learned in whatever state he found himself to be content (Phil 4:11). The ability to be content with one's state in life is a most precious gift from God! (Phil 4:13)
The Bible warns against covetousness:
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Heb 13:5)
Covetousness has been the bane of many people. I love the God's Word translation. It says: "Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.”
(Heb 13:5, GW). The Bible reminds us that "the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10). Here again, we encounter the word "coveted".
By this, it means "greediness" for more! It implies an insatiable desire for wealth and for the things which gratify appetite. It is therefore greed which leads to many sins. The obvious consequence of covetousness is that those found with it are known to have "erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10). As God's children, we are to "flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." (1 Tim 6:11)
The Bible says further that "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:6-9).
Don't you understand that "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."? (Ps 37:16) See also Prov 15:16-17 and Prov 16:8.
According to Evang Billy Graham of blessed memory, "There are two ways of being rich: (1) have a lot, or (2) want very little. The latter way is the easier for most of us. Many people make themselves miserable by wanting more than they can ever have. They suffer from “thing-itis,” the insatiable desire for more, better, and newer things. Jesus was the most satisfied man that ever lived, and He had less than most of us. “The foxes have their holes, and the birds their nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay His head.” He had learned the secret of adjusting His wants to His needs.
- Stanley Jones tells about a poor man who had an overnight guest, and as he showed him to his humble bedroom in the hayloft, he said, “If there is anything you want, let us know, and we’ll come and show you how to get along without it.” We don’t need to learn how to get more, but how to get along with what we’ve got, and get on with the business of living."
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for blessing me with what I need. By Your grace, I live my life with contentment, in Jesus name.