For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why. Today we have a guest post from Crackerjack Greenback.
Take a breath.
Every 3.6 seconds, about the time from one breath to the next, one person dies of starvation. Usually, it's a child under the age of 5.
About 1 out of every 7 people in the world lives in chronic hunger. That's more than the combined populations of the world's developed nations.
The average person living in chronic hunger eats on only 3 ounces of rice a day—a small handful.
In Matthew 25:34-36, Jesus says:
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Matthew 25:34-36 (NLT)
What does any of this have to do with contentment? It sounds more like an appeal for giving.
Contentment Enables Generous Giving
When we chase after wealth, worry constantly about our material needs, or otherwise fall into the trap of consumerism, we separate ourselves from God and fail to see His generous blessings in our lives. When we aren't content, our mentality is such that we cannot give generously or cheerfully because we are wrapped up in our own needs. Our selfishness and greed prevent us from realizing how wealthy we are in Christ or fully trusting in God's Providence.
A lack of contentment in our Christian lives means that we are not fully trusting God. Instead, we are trusting in and serving money. We think that a bigger house, a higher income, or some new gadget is going to make us happier. We focus on saving up money for retirement as a way to protect ourselves as we age. We are trusting in money to give us a safe, secure, and satisfying life.
But the Bible tells us that the rich imagine their wealth to be an unscalable wall (Proverbs 18:11). While it seems that money can protect us or provide us with the things we desire, the truth is that it does not last and has no eternal reward. The current economy is clear proof of how quickly wealth can disappear. And the Bible has warned us about this as well in Proverbs 23:4-5.
When we give our hearts to Jesus and begin trusting in God, however, we can acquire wealth that will last for all eternity. Once we get this true wealth, we can experience contentment in any situation because God has promised He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6). Nothing that happens to us on Earth can take away the richness of the eternal life we have in Christ.
Once we fully comprehend our wealth as Christians, we realize we don't need nearly as much as the World tells us we do. We can be content with just food and clothing (1 Timothy 6:6-8) because we realize that our ultimate reward and destination is in Heaven. The things of the world suddenly seem worth so little when we put them in the light of eternity.
This is where of the power of contentment in God really shines. When we are willing to live simpler lives because we realize we already have everything we need in Christ, we can become extremely generous givers. We won't need as much money to live on, leaving us free to give a substantial portion of our wealth or income to the poor. We can "live simply, so others can simply live."
This escape from materialism and consumerism through contentment allows us to serve God by feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting those in prison. It takes our focus off of the treasures in this world and puts them on our heavenly treasures. Contentment is the means by which we "seek first the kingdom of God".
I encourage all Christians to seek God's contentment in their lives. If you'd like to learn more about contentment in the Bible, please download a free copy of the Contentment Is Wealth: A Bible Study on Contentment ebook now!
I agree with the sentiment that people in the developed world should be very content with what we have. Moreover, I think we should all endeavor to be a little bit more frugal.
However, I don't think you need to do them because you hope to get into heaven. Giving to the poor, living a frugal life etc. Are their own reward. Doing it only because you want to get into heaven strikes me as being a rather selfish reason.
Posted by: Ian @ Quick Online Insurance Quote | March 01, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Ian,
It's not about doing those things because you want to get into heaven. Christians are called to follow Jesus Christ and obey His teaching. It's not about us doing something to get into heaven. It's about obeying Jesus because of the gift of salvation that He's already given us. We do those things out of love for God and other people (or should be) - not because of some obligation, requirement, or deal to get into heaven.
Posted by: Paul Williams @ Crackerjack Greenback | March 01, 2009 at 10:29 AM
The current economy sure shows that wealth can disappear. But that's nothing new under the sun. The story of Joseph storing grain in for famine shows that listening to God not only fulfils a purpose, it transferred wealth to Egypt. Who would have thought of storing grain when there was plentiful, right?
While I totally agree that contentment is key, I think it quite difficult for a person who follows the ways of the world to BE contented. That was certainly the case for me until I became a Christian & follow what the Bible says. Even then, it has been a journey of over a decade for me to let go of what I thought was important i.e. expensive cars, nice toys, bigger houses, etc to work earlier held beliefs & attitudes towards wealth, money, stuff out of my system.
All said & done, what the bible teaches about life & money is truly accurate, no matter what the present "gurus" try to spin their message.
Posted by: Ed | March 01, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Excellent Post, very insightful! Nice before church reading :)
Posted by: Josh | March 01, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Thanks Ed and Josh! Ed, you hit my point exactly when you said it's hard for a person who follows the ways of the world to be content. You first have to accept Jesus and then focus on Him to gain God's contentment. The articles I've written on contentment are geared toward Christians, but they could show a non-Christian what can happen when you accept Christ and let God renew your mind. A life that's fully submitted to God is very different in both appearance and experience.
Posted by: Paul Williams @ Crackerjack Greenback | March 01, 2009 at 10:33 PM
this was a good post, thanks!
Posted by: anna | March 02, 2009 at 02:57 AM
Thank you for this post. I am embarrassed to say that this post is speaking to me. I have been struggling with this, and I needed to read this.
Posted by: James | March 02, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Thanks, Anna!
James, I'm glad it spoke to you. I hope you'll download the free ebook and give it a read if you'd like to learn more about contentment in the Bible!!!
Posted by: Paul Williams @ Crackerjack Greenback | March 02, 2009 at 08:24 PM
I could not agree more. I need if everyone lived as a minimalist we would all be happy. Instead of trying to fill that void with material that is temporary satisfaction we can endure for an everlasting satisfaction of loving god and him loving us. I struggle with this as I think of my daughter's future and what I can and can not give to her as far as money (i.e. vacations, music lessons, a good school, neighborhood) because it does play a part in how she will become. I guess I just don't want her to miss opportunities, but the real opportunity is to know God.
Posted by: Gina | July 27, 2009 at 12:42 AM
That was a very moving and compelling post. I could feel the passion and conviction in your words. I just wanted to encourage you to keep writing. You're a very talented. Thank you.
Posted by: jos. r | October 13, 2009 at 03:28 AM
I'm a little weary about posting this. I don't want to discourage anyone. When I was 29 years old Jesus found me (obviously, I didn't find Him... He wasn't lost).I fell completely in love with Him. I got involved in everything I possibly could..fundraisers, knocking on doors,donating a freezer to the church & stocking it for Thanksgiving dinners for those who would otherwise do without. I absolutely loved going to revivals. my life before this consisted of drugs, alcohol....you name it...I did it. My two children & my husband joined me. We had all received the gift of the Holy Ghost & I made Jesus my best friend spending at least 3 to 4 hours a day praying to Him. It was amazing...only I knew just how many of those prayers He answered. I believe He will continue to do so because I believe that prayers never die...they just keep circling in Heaven until it's His time to answer. That's a great thing because at this time my entire family is backslid. We started to go to a small church in Baltimore, but it's 45 minutes away. I wish I could somehow live there as I know I would get back to where I need to be. We had even taken my 3 grandchildren for a short time and my 6 yr. old granddaughter received the Holy Ghost. She constantly asks if we can go back. Now, to get to the horrible story that caused us to backslide in the firstplace. My 2 sons were molested when they were 7 & 10 in the church by a 15 yr. old. I was going to press charges, but I think it hurt so bad I couldn't even talk about it. My family was then asked to leave our church because of this matter & the fact I was having such a hard time getting over it. NO! I do not blame God for this, but the pastor did know this was happening in the church. It happened to seven different young boys. I felt he should have talked to this child's mother & let her know he shouldn't be hanging out with younger boys in the church. But throw my family out of the only church we knew....we were innocent. I know God forgives the just & the unjust. To take this the worst step forward I spent many years trying to get over this until I decided to take my own life. Well, yes by the Grace of God I lived. No, money isn't everything...all I ever want is my relationship back with God. But I do wish I had the money to start over in Baltimore. Even my employer treats me differently now. I don't think God cares so much about the condition I'm in.....but the direction I'm heading for. Please pray for me & my family.
Posted by: PJA | March 01, 2010 at 05:51 AM
I can remember being so caught up in many things from the time I was a little kid. Living in a dysfunctional family destined me for a very miserable path. Although GOD is mostly responsible for giving me the chance to get on a better path, I picked up the realization of the evils of society before ever finding GOD. Sacrificing one's own life for a purpose other than their own is the only way to live. Try to separate yourself from the ways of society. It might mean being made fun of. But it's the right thing to do.
Posted by: Joe789 | September 21, 2012 at 08:13 PM