And The Winner Is

And  the winner is – oh my, what emotions that puts in the hearts of so many at such announcements. Why?

Money is often seen as the source of contentment and happiness.  We see this thinking at the highest levels of government where they will ignore human rights violations in order to build trade agreements with other nations. 

But we’re pretty much the same, aren’t we?  Most of the time don’t we think that the more money we have, the happier it will make us? Why else to people year after year spend a fortune buying lottery and scratch tickets hoping to win the jackpot. Why do they spend so much money when the odds of winning are so low? 

One person may feel insecure because a welfare or pension cheque that comes in each month doesn’t seem enough to meet all the needs. Someone else with a huge salary can have the same feeling.  Each one thinks if they just have “more” it will make for a life of more peace and settledness.   

The Bible shows us a better way to that peace:

Wisdom will lead you to a life of joy and peace. Wisdom is like a life-giving tree to those who hold on to her; she is a blessing to those who keep her close. Proverbs 3:17-18

To avoid the frustration and pain of trusting in wealth, the Bible repeatedly tells us that happiness, contentment, peace, pleasure, and real life are found not in money, but in getting wisdom and understanding. 

How do we get wisdom and understanding?  The first and best way is to simply ask God to help us live His principles as recorded in the Bible. 

The next best source that leads to our being blessed and contented is to listen to others’ wise advice and accept correction.  What are we doing today to seek advice from God and others so we can remove wrong thinking from our way of living before we cause ourselves more pain? 

Generous Heavenly Father, It is a legitimate desire in our hearts to have a life of peace and contentment.  Forgive us for seeking to achieve that by false ways, like with money, that just don’t produce it anyway.

Help us to search out the way of wisdom You are showing us so we can find security and contentment in life rather than simply seeking more money.  Teach us what we need to learn so we can safely and steadily walk on the path to love, joy and peace today.  Amen

Okay, this doesn’t mean we passively sit back and expect God to drop money in our laps.  God asks us to be responsible and work well with what we’ve been given today, be generous, and then trust Him to take care of our needs.  That’s when we truly live like winners.