by Jerry Senn
Let me ask you to stop for a moment, close your eyes, lean your head back and imagine a place that is more peaceful than you’ve ever known. Not necessarily a perfect place, but peaceful. No pressures, no horns, or a mess in traffic, no hassles or rush, phones or computers, no kids screaming, or people complaining.
Is there really such a place? “A consistent attitude of contentment can bring lasting joy and lead you out of the wilderness of covetousness.”
(James MacDonald)
Listen carefully to the words of Agur: “I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and lack common sense. I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy one.
“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fist? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name? Tell me if you know.
“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.
“O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ And I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name” (Prov 30:1-9, NLT).
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 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. So if we have enough food and clothing let us be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8, NLT).