True Happiness

We live in a materialistic society. Rich and poor alike constantly desire more, newer, better, and fancier stuff.

Why?

Because society tells us that those who own the most and the best material goods are the happy people.  This message dominates all forms of media you are exposed to. It’s impossible to escape. 

Add to that clever product marketing and peer-pressure and the trap is set for you to buy, buy, and keep on buying goods and services you don’t really need. 

The longing for eternal happiness is so inherent to human nature that you will keep doing what you're doing hoping to find fulfillment some day.

What the media isn’t big on sharing is that the pursuit of material goods is not the true path to a happy life. Instead you become more discontented since you are never satisfied with what you have, or where you are in life.

Believers, however have a different path to happiness. Unlike the world’s, our life journey never disappoints and leads us to a place of deep joy and abiding peace.

What then is the path of the believer?

The Apostle Paul tells us: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12

Paul’s early life before he became a Christian was one of recognition, material wealth and comfort. After his encounter with CHRIST everything changed and Paul suffered hardships that most of us would never have to face in our lifetime. Yet Paul chose not to go back to his old life but to learn to be content in the new, despite his suffering.

Why did Paul choose to learn the secret of being content in any and every situation? Because Paul understood that a relationship with JESUS is the only path to true happiness, even in suffering.

Godly contentment is of far greater value than worldly riches.

How do you develop godly contentment?

Learning something new requires effort and diligence.

You learn godly contentment when you accept GOD’s promises and make the truth of them the primary focus of your daily life:

• Have a heart of gratitude and express it to the Father (Psalm 7:17; Psalm 107:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
• Be satisfied with who you are and whose you are (Psalm 95:7; Psalm 100:3; Galatians 3:26).
• Accept that the GOD who created the entire universe thinks about you all the time and provides for you. (Psalm 139:16-17; Psalm 23; Jeremiah 29:11).
• Believe that GOD is sovereign in your life and that truth is of more value to you than worldly riches. (Psalm 119:72; Philippians 3:8; James 2:5). 

Christians who expect to have wealth and abundant material goods as a measure of GOD’s favor and and as a return for what they “do for GOD” are not being true to Scripture.

GOD’s WORD is clear that we are not living the truth when we imagine that being a believer is a means to material gain. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in 1 Timothy 6:6-10. We learn that we are most in GOD’s favor when we have “godliness combined with contentment.”

To know CHRIST as Savior and LORD is to lack nothing – CHRIST alone is enough!

“For we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8

Conclusion

JESUS Himself warns us to “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:14

Chasing after worldly riches is not the will of GOD for His children.

GOD promises to take care of us and to doubt Him is sin.

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.” Hebrews 13:5

Child of GOD, whose message do you believe?

                                

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, you are Jehovah-Jireh, the GOD who provides. Thank YOU for the peace and contentment that comes from belonging to the GOD who knows what we need before we ask. Thank YOU for being the Good Shepherd who cares for our souls. Teach us to trust YOU so we make our requests with thanksgiving and not just with selfish ambition and to be generous with what YOU provide for us. Forgive us for being self-absorbed and greedy and misusing your Word and Your Name for selfish gain. Thank you for being faithful and abounding in mercy. We love and honor YOU. To you, Father, be dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all in JESUS’ name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile