Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. -  Timothy 6:7

It is often helpful to distinguish between needs and wants. We may have all we need to live but let ourselves become anxious and discontented over what we merely want. We can choose to be content without having all that we want. The only alternative is to be a slave to our desires. Greed leads to all kinds of evil: marriage problems, robbery, blowups in partnerships. To master greed, you must control it at its root. Get rid of the desire to be rich. Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Proverbs 23:4

We have all heard of people who have won millions of dollars and then lost it all. Even the average person can spend an inheritance - or a paycheck - with lightning speed and have little to show for it. Don't spend your time chasing fleeting earthly treasures. Instead store up treasures in heaven, for such treasures will never be lost. (See Luke 12:33,34 for Jesus' teaching.) Our work should reflect our faithfulness to and love for Christ. " Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." John 6:27

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, most people still believe that money brings happiness. Rich people craving greater riches can be caught in an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction. How can you keep away from the love of money? Here are important guidelines: (1) realize that one day riches will all be gone (1Ti 6:7,17); (2) be content with what you have (1Ti 6:8); (3) monitor what you are willing to do to get more money (1Ti 6:9,10); (4) love people more than money (1Ti 6:11); (5) love God's work more than money (1Ti 6:11); (6) freely share what you have with others (1Ti 6:18). (See Proverbs 30:7-9 for more on avoiding the love of money.)

Having riches carries great responsibility. Those who have money must be generous, but they may not be arrogant just because they have a lot to give. They must be careful not to put their hope in money instead of in the living God for their security. Even if we don't have material wealth, we can be rich in good deeds. No matter how poor we are, we have something to share with someone. "Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8