A true and certain defense

Wealth is elusive - we seek it through career moves, investments, and maybe even through inheritance. Billy Graham once said, "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." Many put all their hope and trust in the wealth they can attain on this earth, almost lording it over others who don't 'possess' as much as they do. Kevin Gates reminded us that "true wealth is not of the pocket, but of the heart and of the mind." 

The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. (Proverbs 18:11-12)

Our wealth on this earth will never be a very strong defense. Inflation will dwindle what we have amassed, markets will crash our faith in what we have invested, and illness can destroy both our ability to amass or enjoy what we have laid aside. Our greatest wealth is what we find within relationship with Jesus. When we are willing to lay down our own pursuit of things and monies, finding contentment in Christ alone, very little of what we 'lay-up' on this earth really matters anymore.

The 'wealth' of this world only leads one to seek more. It doesn't fulfill us. Some of the 'wealthiest' men have been the most miserable, isolated, and depraved in our society. It might not appear to 'hinder' our relationships with each other, but it has a way of driving a wedge. We begin to fear others will abuse our wealth, befriending us because of what they can gain, so we isolate. We imagine the various ways it can all be taken from us, so we obsess with ways to 'protect' it. Earthly wealth doesn't bring 'fulfillment' in any permanent way, causing us to look for 'another way' to find contentment.

True contentment of heart, mind, and emotions comes when we realize our greatest 'wealth' is the relationship we have with Christ. Instead of focusing on the 'strong defense' of earthly wealth, wouldn't it be wiser to settle into the true and lasting 'defense' of living devoted to Christ? Just askin...

He is richest who is....

It was Socrates who reminded us, "He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature." Contentment evades so many of us today - always striving to get more, so we can have more, so we can be more, so we can get even more. The problem is that the journey toward 'more' is riddled with all kinds of potholes and switch-back turns we can get all tangled up in if we are not careful. Thomas Fuller reminds us, "Contentment consists not in adding more fuel, but in taking away some fire." Maybe it is time for us to think about what is 'fueling' our motion. Motion is good as long as it is in the right direction. Remove some the fuel that is taking us in the wrong direction and we may just find our journey is more enjoyable!

But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face-to-face. (Psalm 17:15)

Seeing God - really knowing him better and better each day - this is the journey toward contentment, my friends. It isn't found in the 'more' we strive for each day as much as it is finding the right 'fuel' for our journey! There is more joy in laying down some things than we may realize at first. We allow so much 'pressure' to exist in our lives when all we are striving for is more power, position, or possession. We cannot possess God, but he can possess us. We cannot assume a position close to God, but we can be drawn into his presence to a place of 'closeness' like no other. We cannot seek any power stronger or more trustworthy than the power that comes from being rightly related to him.

All is well - those words can invigorate a weary soul, for contentment comes in knowing despite how things may appear, all is well because God is in control. All is well - God grants more in one well-spent moment in his presence than we could ever find in seeking 'wellness' any other way. It isn't that all things are well because we know God, but because we come into a place of trust, understanding, and appreciation of the grace of God. It is in drawing near that we find 'wellness' for our soul - we find contentment in just appreciating his grace in our lives. Fully satisfied in his presence - isn't that something most of us really desire, but have no real way of achieving on our own.

Between us - nothing matters more in terms of our contentment than our relationship with Christ. When we are rightly related to him, contentment ensues. We can try all manner of self-improvement methods and find ourselves only miserable in the end. Why? Contentment of soul comes only in restoration of our RIGHT relationship with God. Right relationship isn't one of self-achievement or self-advancement, it is found in humbly seeking what only God can give - GRACE. Grace is the 'currency' of truly content lifestyle. It is in the continual renewal of that grace that we find the deepest and most satisfying of truths - we are loved, embraced, and proven 'righteous' because of his restorative power. Just sayin!