Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (NIV)

Simon, my dachshund, is a thief. Every morning and evening after he gobbles up his bowl of food, he races over to an older, very patient dog and helps himself to her food as well. He edges in to the far side of her bowl and begins munching away. Even though he is reprimanded daily, he steals shamelessly if I don't keep my eye on him. He is never content with what he has.

Many people are like Simon. They are always wanting more and will encroach on others' property, possessions, and even emotions to try to grab for themselves what is not theirs for the taking.

Individuals do it to one another, even as countries do it to other countries. But God tells us very clearly to keep our lives free from the love of money — which brings with it power and possessions in this world — and to be content with what we have. Why? Because He is with us. He will never leave nor forsake us. His presence and His companionship with us far surpass any contentment that money or possessions can ever afford us in this world.

God has promised us that He "will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NIV) King Solomon discovered that no amount of money, companionship, travel, possessions, or adventures satisfied him in the end. He wrote, "Meaningless! Meaningless! … Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV)

Matthew 6:19-21 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)

God knows that the real treasures that we need for fulfillment and self-worth do not stem from the material, but from the eternal. So, let us prayerfully choose to keep our lives free from the love of money and be content with what we have, because when we have God and truly begin to understand the great treasure that is ours, we will have everything that we shall ever need, now and throughout eternity.

Prayer: Father God, open our eyes and the eyes of people worldwide to see and understand the great treasure which is ours for the asking: You, Who have promised that You will never leave us nor forsake us. You and only You have the power to bless us with Your Spirit, Who is able to develop in us the true treasures of Your attributes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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