"The trick to life is not getting what you want, it's wanting what you've got."

Today on facebook I found the quote that has become the title of today's study. I found it ironic because I am currently selling stuff, that I bought to make me happy, so that I will have money to buy other stuff to make me happy. The joy in my stuff is always very short lived. I have hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of stuff that just sits around taking up space because it no longer brings me joy.

As I was contemplating what to say here I thought about spouses cheating. Why? Because they are not content. They seek more to make them happy.

I thought about the debt that I'm in. Why? Well as Dave Ramsey put it, "People spend money they don't have to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't even like." I've purchased so many things that I did not know I "needed" until I was told.

I am now thinking of the fact that I'm over weight. Why? Simply because I always want MORE.

Philippians 4:10-12
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I 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.

Paul learned to be content. What is the secret?

Proverb 19:23
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

First we must fear the LORD. I don't think we really do this. Yes God is gracious. Yes He is full of mercy. However having grown up in the Church I have lost some of the awe and majesty of who God really is. I am not content to rest in God. So many of the troubles I deal with today are dirrect result of doing things "MY" way.

1 Timothy 6:3-10
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

I think of all the time and effort and money that I put into my stuff and my comfort. What happens to it all when I die? My kids get some of it and the tax man takes his chunk. However I leave it all behind. Sure I could chose to be buried with it, but I don't take it with me. The Pharoah's of Egypt thought they could but their stuff is either still buried or in museums around the globe.

Now I compare the above effort with the ammount of effort I put into godliness, which I will take with me to heaven. We are told in 1 Timothy 6:11-12 to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." and to "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called". I can't do this if I'm burying myself with stuff for my own pleasure.

Do I "pursue" godliness? Not often enough because I'm too busy pursuing what I want.

Hebrew 12:1-3
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 13:5
5Keep 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."

The last line is promise. Unlike human promises God won't break His. If you are His child He is right there waiting for you to turn to Him.

I hope God has blessed you with the lesson He has taught me today.