March 14, 2007

“If I had more money” – have you ever heard that phrase?  You may use it more than you realize, or perhaps a variation.  “If I won the lottery”, or “If I made more money”, for example. 

We all have our dreams about the lives of luxury and travel that we would live “if we just had more money”, don’t we?  Vacations, exotic locales, cars, houses, land , clothes and toys galore would be the choice of most folks “if I have the winning ticket.”

Dreamers, we are.  The unknown seems better than the known.

The Bible tells us “Be content with such things as ye have.” (Hebrews 13:5)

I had a first-hand lesson in that last week.  I drove to Memphis to be with the family of a close friend who was in a terrible car accident and who sustained serious brain injuries.  I was at the hospital for days straight with his wife and son, and the end of this story remains to seen as I type this.  The tragedy of this accident showed so clearly how suddenly our lives can change.  Things we take for granted are often the most valuable things that we have in our lives.  Sandy, my friend’s wife, would be thrilled if she could set the clock back to last Monday and things could be “normal” again. 

Look around you at the things that have become mundane to you.  Maybe it’s your job or your spouse or your kids or your parents – or your health.  Now imagine your life without one of them.

The Bible also says “But 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 (clothing) let us be therewith content.” (I Timothy 6:6-8)

The 10^th verse in this passage is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible.  People say “Money is the root of all evil”. But what does it really say?

”For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (I Timothy 6:10)

Money is just a commodity that we use to buy and sell things with.  It’s the LOVE of money that makes people do things that they shouldn’t do, not the money itself.  Satan always sells tomorrow, not today.  Things are going to be better tomorrow.  The answer is always right around the bend. And his tomorrow never comes.

God wants us to enjoy today.  To be content with what we have.  To understand that godliness + contentment = great gain.  Not more money.  Not winning the lottery.  Instead of “If I had more money” we should say “If I had more of God!”