7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot
take anything out of the world. (1 Timothy 6:7)
We know this for a fact. I have
either preached or attended a total of 8 funerals during in the relatively
short time that I’ve been here. It is
definitely a sobering thought.
A wealthy landowner was trying to
buy some additional land near his estate. A neighbor observed that his only
motive was to prevent someone else from buying it. So the neighbor asked, “Sir,
do you want to only all of the land in the world?” “No,” the wealthy man
replied, “just the land that joins mine.”
Many people believe that contentment
and true happiness comes from having enough money to do whatever they like
whenever they want to do it. Other think it comes from have a good, close-knit
family or having a life with no problems. That is why they constantly think
that having a little more money or changing their relationships or improving
their circumstances will bring this contentment.
It’s just not so. This true
happiness comes only from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must
believe that He will supply all of our needs. Contentment is not found in
things, circumstances, or other people. It is truly found in knowing that our
heavenly Father loves us and cares for us.
The writer of Hebrews understood the
true source of contentment when he wrote, “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). To express it in another way,
discontentment comes when we think that having money or the latest electronic gadget
or newest fashion will make us happy. Scripture affirms that true happiness is
obtainable only through Jesus. Knowing that He provides us with what we need
when we need it produces stress-free living at its best. Be strong and
courageous in this and do not be afraid. You are valuable to God.
