Contentment and joy outside of circumstances is the key. The love of money is the root of all evil, not money, but the love of it. Things may seem to be going our way until something happens that is out of our control. Money can control many things, but what about a sickness that the doctor says can’t be cured or an injury that appears permanent or a family member in trouble? When we step back, we can make a whole list of what money can’t buy. When things like this happen, we come face to face with the fact that money doesn’t bring contentment or happiness. Sure, it can make us happy temporarily and provide moments of fun to enjoy, but when circumstances get out of money’s control, then what? Often when we are young, we feel invincible and don’t recognize anything but temporal things. And, without maturity, we may feel that money does bring contentment and happiness. Just give it some time, get older and wiser, and we then see the truth.
So why would I write about something like this. To help face reality? To see things more clearly? Yes, but the bigger reason is to help point you toward the one who does bring contentment, joy, and happiness despite the circumstances. I’m talking about my best friend, Jesus Christ. Since a lot of what I do revolves around planning, I think it’s important to share this critical part of a plan. After all, what’s a good plan if you’re not content or happy? With Him on your side, we can face the deeper issues of life, not only the short-term things that we believe money can handle. With Him by our side, money has a new meaning. It goes from how much we can get for ourselves to how we can help others. Then, all of a sudden, the Scripture that says we are more blessed to give than to receive makes since.[1]
In my profession, I deal with money on a daily basis. I see people that have much and those that have little, so I am not speaking out of ignorance. The people that have met my best friend will confirm what I am saying. So, this is not some fanatic point of view, but actually a bit of wisdom that might give you a different perspective. If your natural circumstances are going well now and money seems to be able to take care of everything, just wait. This will change. The next time you find yourself in a place where you feel out of control or money can’t quite take care of something, just remember there is One who can bring peace and contentment despite circumstances. His name is Jesus.