Contentment: Real Wealth

Men and women have sought wealth throughout history. Some have attained it only to find that it did not make them happy. This paradox is highlighted over and over in Scripture. In fact, most of the time, when the Bible talks about contentment, it is in relation to wealth. Check this out:

“Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have: for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” Heb 13:5

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity…The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much. But the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.” Eccl 5:10, 12

“What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.” Eccl 6:9

“…Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.” Prov 27:20

Practical Help

Rich or poor-which is better? Neither. God cares about our attitude. Contentment is an attitude of the heart. Stop right now and thank God for what you already have. Avoid the futility of chasing wealth. A question was once asked of a businessman growing a successful company, “how much is enough?” His answer: “just a little bit more.” Avoid the pitfalls introduced in the following verse:

“And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” 1 Tim 6:8-9

Shady ethics, cheating on taxes, fraud, bending the truth, gambling, broken family relationships, stress, anxiety, health problems-who needs them? Why sacrifice everything that is important to chase something that is temporary?

Bottom line-what people really want is not wealth, they want to be content.

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The views are those of Bruce Olmstead and not those of Summit Brokerage Services. Investments in securities do not offer a fix rate of return. Principal, yield and/or share price will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and, when sold or redeemed, you may receive more or less than originally invested.  No system or financial planning strategy can guarantee future results