DO YOU want to be rich?
Who doesn’t want to be!
Will being rich solve most or all of your concerns? We often think it will solve them. However, we only need to look around us and see that many rich people have more and graver problems than we do. And often times, it is because they are rich.
Somehow riches seem to attract a different bunch of troubles that having money cannot resolve. In fact, many concerns arise because of it. Some people feel that having money will solve their problems. At least they have hope.
Many of the rich are frustrated and unhappy as they may have earlier thought that having the money they now have would solve their problems. Now, what do they hope for that can make them happy?
Let’s see what the bible has to say about money and happiness.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 says: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Let’s keep that to heart. It is a good consolation for those of us who have not attained their monetary goals in life; and a good reminder to those who have. What made me write about this topic is a texted forward I got about two ways of being rich.
One is to have what you want, the other is to be satisfied with what you have.
Which is easier? Which makes more sense?
1 Timothy 6-8 says, “But Godliness and contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Yes. Being Christ-like by believing and following the teachings of Jesus is Godliness. It is not easy, but by His grace, determined effort, and help of a community of believers, we can. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Contentment is being satisfied with what we have. That is being rich.
My Dearest Michael and all who wish to be rich:
The road to contentment is not easy.
Let us begin by counting our blessings. This does not mean counting our money. For when we do, we will normally want more.
Contentment is developed by seeing the blessings we have received, and being grateful for them, not feeling entitled to them.
It is acknowledging God’s graces and mercies, and believing that “everything comes from God alone, everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory”.
And like the man inside a coffin, he has brought nothing into this world, and he will leave with nothing. It will not even matter if he wears a brand new suit, a second hand barong, or if he were naked.
Let us all aim for Godliness and Contentment, a true measure of riches.
Get truly rich in 2020!