Living A Contented Life

The extremes of life on riches and poverty can be dangerous because a person with too much riches, especially in money may encounter as much difficulty as one with too little. This is the reason why Agur, inspired by the Holy Spirit, in Proverbs 30, prayed to God: “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Prov. 30:7-9 NIV). Very significantly, the Lord Jesus Christ endorsed the prayer of Agur when he taught his disciples to pray, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11 NIV).

This is telling us that the best situation in life, financially and with property, is just “enough”, that is, one is not very rich but also not very poor, so he will still need God who is the source of life and everything. On the other hand, an extremely poor man will be forced to do something to have money for his survival. And if that poor man has not acquired enough education to land any job, he will be forced to steal or rob or even kill in the process.

Human nature, however, is the insatiable desire to have super abundance of money and property. No one is contented of what he already have. Thus, if one has a surplus car, he would want a brand new. When he will have a brand new, he will want a latest model brand new Mercedes Benz, and so on and so forth.

In every rule, there is an exception. In the case of our faithful and dedicated member Cris Arrieta, he has a customer who offered to pay him and he accepted, the latest model of Mercedez Benz. This is his gift from God.

If we want to have a peaceful life, be contented with what we have, Work hard with all honesty so that your acquired riches either in property or money will not be sequestered by the government, and you will not land in jail.

The Apostle Paul who might be a good example of one who lived a contented life, was a Pharisee, a lawyer-follower of Jesus Christ, not very rich nor very poor, and a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin (the equivalent of our Supreme Court of recent age) said, “For I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11 KJV). He further admonished us, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For me brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:6-7). He further warned and encourages us in this manner:

“⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For 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.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy

¹¹But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (vss. 9-12 NIV)

What is Paul telling us? All our efforts must be geared towards “laying hold of eternal life” which is ultimately a life where the character, attitude of everyone is Christlike; where there is no more rich or poor; and where “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain; for the former things are passed away… and behold all things are new” Rev. 21:4-5 KJV). Finally, the Bible tells us, “Be content with such things as we have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5 KJV). Between being very very rich in money and property in exchange for our soul, better have just enough and be in heaven to enjoy a life eternal where everything is provided and all things a new.

To be sure, there is nothing wrong in being or becoming rich in money or in property, if it is attained by inheritance, or through honest hard work and perseverance. Our society needs rich and prosperous people who are honest and generous with their riches, especially to the less fortunate and needy brethren.

Rev. Shiloh Haigh is a very hardworking evangelist. He has demonstrated his generosity by supporting in financing the initial issues of our FGBMFI Saturday Bulletin during my term as President. His reward in heaven is waiting for him.

Agur impliedly reminded us, instead of always asking for more, we should seek the balance expressed in Proverbs 30.

Normally, a person is poor because he is lazy. Solomon said, “The hand of the diligent (or hardworking person maketh rich but the sluggard (or lazy people always sleeping or relaxing) is made poor (Prov. 10:4 KJV). Of course the industrious diligent, honest and trustworthy are those who get promoted in position or rank and salary.

So, be diligent in your studies or in whatever work or profession you are engaged in, and spend only for what you need. The Apostle Paul said, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17 NIV).

Contentment is realizing that God has already given us all that we need. Anything beyond is bonus from God, just like when King Solomon was granted his request for wisdom. God granted him bonuses of “a large and an understanding heart, riches and honor and long life” (1 Kings 3:12-14 KJV). Praise and glory be to God through Jesus Christ our LORD.

(FGBMFI Davao City Chapter Bulletin, May 4, 2013)