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Contentment: The Mark Of The Christian - Message #356
- July 31, 2005
Having money is not evil. In fact, having a little more money would be a good thing. Why? We use it to care for our families, homes, cars and trucks. So money is not an end in itself. Money is a tool. Some people think money will bring contentment. But when they get all the money they can use, they just want more. The contentment they seek is elusive. The Bible warns, "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have" (Hebrews 13:5). Loving money is a character flaw. How so? When you love money, it becomes your God. You are liable to sacrifice anything for it, including your family. You will do this because the love of money breeds discontent and greed. Greed colors the judgment. To satisfy greed, men and women cheat, steal, commit adultery, deal in drugs and even stoop to murder. Again, listen to the Bible, "The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang" (1 Timothy 6:10).
The solution is contentment, which comes from God. I'm not talking about complacency. It is easy for people to be smug and complacent. They are self-satisfied and indifferent about the future. So they don't work hard to further themselves. Contentment is something different. It is an ability to make do in every situation. It is inner composure and a lack of anxiety. But, if you love money and are always anxious about money, you surely lack contentment.
Contributed by Dr. Dennis J. Prutow. Voice message and free tapes: 1-800-777-0389 [USA] Or order your free tapes online. Visit Dr. Prutow's site.
- July 31, 2005
Having money is not evil. In fact, having a little more money would be a good thing. Why? We use it to care for our families, homes, cars and trucks. So money is not an end in itself. Money is a tool. Some people think money will bring contentment. But when they get all the money they can use, they just want more. The contentment they seek is elusive. The Bible warns, "Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have" (Hebrews 13:5). Loving money is a character flaw. How so? When you love money, it becomes your God. You are liable to sacrifice anything for it, including your family. You will do this because the love of money breeds discontent and greed. Greed colors the judgment. To satisfy greed, men and women cheat, steal, commit adultery, deal in drugs and even stoop to murder. Again, listen to the Bible, "The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang" (1 Timothy 6:10).
The solution is contentment, which comes from God. I'm not talking about complacency. It is easy for people to be smug and complacent. They are self-satisfied and indifferent about the future. So they don't work hard to further themselves. Contentment is something different. It is an ability to make do in every situation. It is inner composure and a lack of anxiety. But, if you love money and are always anxious about money, you surely lack contentment.
Contributed by Dr. Dennis J. Prutow. Voice message and free tapes: 1-800-777-0389 [USA] Or order your free tapes online. Visit Dr. Prutow's site.