Contentment is the word the Bible uses to describe what our aim in regard to money should be. Here are a few notable examples:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
“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)
A person can be financially independent without being content. Conversely, a person can be content without being financially independent. (Have built up enough assets or income stream to work when they want, vacation where they want, and buy what they want).
I believe the Lord has been showing me that – Contentment is the ultimate aim and result of financial freedom (doing well financially, giving cheerfully, managing debt, and so on – is financial freedom). He isn’t caught up in the bondage of materialism. A person has the right view of money and recognizes that God owns it all. In that case he is free!
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”(Mark 8:36-37)
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God” (1 Timothy 6:17)
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is crooked though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6)
“He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions’ ” (Luke 12:15)
“If I give all my possessions to feed the poor… but do not have love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Few Christians fully realise the function that finances play in their spiritual lives. The financial principles given throughout the Word of God are not there to determine whether we are strong enough to live by them; they’re given because God knows that they are the best for us.
God’s principles of finance are not an arbitrary set of rules by which to govern His people. Rather, they are a loving Father’s wisdom to all those who will listen, trust His guidance, and obey.
Jesus never indicated that having money and material assets was wrong. But, He did indicate that the misuse of money and materials assets was a symptom of an even greater problem.
He constantly warned His followers to guard against materialism with its greed, covetousness, ego, and pride, because those are the primary tools that Satan uses to seek control of and to manipulate God’s people. In fact, Jesus gave more warnings about materialism than any other sin or transgression.
