We were a young family living on a single income when I was still a stay-at-home mom, and I had fallen into the familiar trap of "just a little more". I convinced myself that if my husband's paycheque were only a hundred dollars more, life would be much easier. We all know, however, that this line of thinking is foolish.

In an old folktale about an enchanted fish, the wife of the poor fisherman learns a bitter lesson about greed and dissatisfaction. Her beleaguered husband keeps returning to the fish with his wife's ever-increasing demands. She ultimately wants to be queen in a castle on the hill. With this out-of-control wish, the fish loses all patience and poof! the couple find themselves back in their dirty shack.

Our own greed and dissatisfaction may not be that extreme, but we may still need to temper our desires. It is easy to think that if we had just a little bigger house, just a little newer car, just a little better job … and on and on … life would be much better.

The apostle Paul has some biting words to help remind us to keep our desires in check. He assured his young friend Timothy, "True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT)

It may not be just material possessions that leave us discontented. We look around us and are unhappy with life in general. Our neighbours are irritating us, our taxes are too high, and our city government isn't doing its job. Indeed, the world is falling apart. With all of the dangers and deprivations that he himself faced, Paul had every right to complain. But he showed by example how to live the Jesus way. He told the Philippian church, "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have." (Philippians 4:11b NLT)

Let's step back a bit and look at our own situation. Let's look outside of our own bubble to see needs around us, rather than focusing on what we want or think we need. Remember that want and true need are very different things. What do we already have for which we need to be grateful? Life is too short to be wasted wishing and wanting.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, You give us every good and perfect gift, and all that we have comes from You. We can trust You to give us everything that You know we need. Grant us grateful hearts, full of thanksgiving for the many blessings that You give us. Amen.

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About the author:

Gail Lundquist <gail10833@gmail.com>
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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