Hi there! It is so good to have you reading and studying the Word of God with me today. It is so vital that we realize the Word of God is Truth, His will, and Living! His Word will speak to you every time you read it! Prepare for this time by asking the Holy Spirit to give you His revelation, and understanding of what He desires to speak to you today. Blessings, Eric

In our materialistic world, many look for contentment in the wealth that is constantly offered. Those who are wealthy crave more and those who are not wealthy dream about becoming so. Many have adopted the idea that if they were wealthy they would never have to worry about not having enough. The lottery has become extremely popular. According to lotterycritic.com, in 2021 the worldwide lottery market was estimated to be worth $366.55 billion!

Many have become convinced that with wealth, all of their problems will be solved. Without realizing it, they have actually exchanged their need of a Savior to making wealth their savior. Yet, in truth, these beliefs are based on an illusion. Wealth cannot give you peace nor contentment. However, we can be content no matter what state we find ourselves in because contentment is found in Christ alone.

1 Timothy 6:6 (CSB), “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” ‘Contentment’ is translated from the Greek word autarkoia and means: a mind contented with its lot. The word ‘content’ which we will look at shortly, in Philippians 4:11 means: satisfied, be enough, suffice (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘content’ as: “happy enough with what one has or is; not desiring something more or different.”

Let’s look at Philippians 4: 11-13 in the Amplified Bible, “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose-- I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] ‘Content in verse 11 means satisfied or be enough. The Greek word, manthano, translated ‘learned’ in verse 11 and 12 means: to learn by use and practice. Many of our most valuable lessons come from our experiences. In verse 12, ‘humbly’ [in difficult times] is translated from the Greek word, tapeinoo which means: humble by frugal living and, the phrase, ‘abundance and lives in prosperity’ is from the Greek word perisseuo meaning: abundantly furnished, to have an abundance. Then ‘strengthens’ in verse 13 means: to make strong or endue with strength.

I like the insight in Kingdom Dynamics in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, regarding verses 12 and 13. It states: “Abundance is not our point of trust. Yes, you can have riches, and no, do not trust in them. If our lives are geared to the Word of God, then we can experience either financial wealth or temporary setback, but we will still be steadfast in our living, all because our trust will be only in Him. If the economy should dissolve tomorrow, God’s people would not be rendered inoperative, because God is our source. He can keep us through times of scarcity as well as in times of plenty. He fed Elijah by sending ravens to bring him food in the morning and evening. God can do that now. He is the same today as He was then.”

I discovered this profound Corrie Ten Boom quote at jollynotes.com, “You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.” Corrie lived this lesson in her life as a prisoner in Ravensbruck concentration camp in 1944.

Some of the most content people in this world are those who materially, have the least. Oyewole Akande, a deacon at Sovereign Grace Bible Church in Lagos, Nigeria stated, “Contentment is a steady hope in God to protect and provide whatever may come.” (africa.thegospelcoalition.org). Whatever comes, He will protect and provide! This is a wonderful revelation and insight that we all need to receive and learn to walk in.

To have a steady hope in God, we must keep our mind focused on Him. Hebrews 12:2 (ESV), “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Aphorao the Greek word for ‘looking’ means undivided attention, looking away from all distractions in order to fix one’s gaze on one object, having eyes for no one but Jesus. When we keep our focus on Jesus, we will strengthen our faith, increase our hope, and live in a greater state of contentment.

We do not have a need for more wealth in order to be content. We need more of Jesus!

Until the day Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord, they lived in the garden where God provided everything they needed. They had food to eat, fellowship with God, and each other. They certainly were not concerned about the latest fashions, phones, or gadgets. Please hear me, sometimes by our own wrong choices, we can dig ourselves deep into debt. If that has happened, definite choices need to be made. First and foremost, we need to tithe to the Lord (the Word reveals that if we do not tithe, we are robbing God and He will not be able to open the windows of heaven to bless us, (Malachi 3:8-11) and also, pay off the debt as quickly as possible. Often times this will require a time of sacrifice for us till we can get out of debt. There was a time when I gave my wife a candy bar for Mother’s Day, It was all I could afford and I would not spend money I did not have. It was her favorite and she was happy to receive it. Be wise. Then, once we become faithful to putting God first, He will begin to pour out blessings to help our needs to be met.

We know that the Word of God was penned by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16). We find there are many Scriptures that warn us against depending on possessions.

Luke 12:15 (ESV), “And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, (greedy desire to have more) for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (goods, wealth, property)."

1 Timothy 6:10 and 11 (NLT), “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” ‘Root’, rhiza in the Greek, means: cause, origin, and source of. ‘Evil’, translated from kakos means: wrong, wicked, or all kinds of evil. ‘Pierced’, metaphore, means to torture one’s soul with sorrows. If you love money, often times,it becomes your god. Having a love of money, some have fallen from the true faith.

Proverbs 16:8 (NLT), “Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.”

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV), “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."

Solomon, probably the wealthiest man ever to live, had this to say concerning wealth and contentment. Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV), “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”

We brought nothing into this world and we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:6-9 (NLT), “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 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. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.”

1 Chronicles 29:15a (CSB), “For we are aliens and temporary residents in your presence as were all our ancestors.” We are to be more concerned with eternity than with our temporary gains on earth.

Colossians 3:2 (NKJV), “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV), “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” ‘Seek’, zeto, means: strive after, seek after, seek for, aim at. What are we to strive after? The kingdom of God and His righteousness, where we will find contentment.

Philippians 3:20 (NLT), “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior”

When our focus is solely on our relationship with our Heavenly Father and all that He has provided, then earthly possessions won’t matter. We need to keep our minds and hearts stayed on God.

Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible), “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is committed and focused on You - in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].”’Trusts’, batah in the Greek means: to be secure, to fear nothing for one’s self, to set one’s hope and confidence upon.

Scripture tells us to cast our care on Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV), “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” ‘Casting’ means: to cast upon, or give up to God. If you are consumed with care or anxiety, imagine yourself throwing those cares downat the foot of the cross

The Lord makes every provision we need so that we can be content in every way or situation.

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV), “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 11:28,29 NKJV), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Do you labor and are you heavy laden? He has promised that if you come to Him, take His yoke upon you and learn from Him, He will give you rest! This is such good news!

This temporary world has little to offer compared to an eternity in heaven.

Stay the course with the Lord!

Keep your eyes on Him!

As your trust in Him grows, you will experience more contentment in your life.

He is all you need in order for you to contentment.

He will meet your every need and when that wonderful promised day comes, He will usher you into your eternal home.

So pick up the Good Book, relax, and wait for heaven’s call!

ESV English Standard Version

NLT New Living Translation

NIV New International Version

CSV Christian Standard Bible

NKJV New King James Version