King Solomon said that most people striving to be “successful” are doing so because they envy their neighbors.
Simply stated, pride fuels the desire to be as successful or more successful than others.
Solomon — a king who knew something about success — said in Ecclesiastes 4:4 that this craving is like “chasing the wind.”
The king said it was much better to have one handful with quietness than to have two handfuls after the stress of combining hard work and chasing that wind.
The better course is to recognize the futility of thinking that money by itself brings happiness, he said.
Happiness instead comes from being diligent and honorable in our behavior at whatever work we do, recognizing that money is to be seen as fuel, not as a trophy.
I’ve never seen a sports car owner brag about the size of his or her vehicle’s gas tank. That’s because he or she sees the gas as fuel, not as the admired feature.
In a sense, that’s how we’re to view wealth.
It is to be a tool, not an idol.
And when we find enjoyment from our work and are at peace with God wherever we are financially, we are truly blessed.
We trust that God will never allow us to “run out of gas” before we arrive at our eternal destination.
We can enjoy our lives without a perpetually pouty face that thinks God hasn’t blessed us enough and that we’re gonna have to make up for what He hasn’t given us.
Consider these words from Ecclesiastes 5:19-20:
“…it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.”
Would I like to have a bigger paycheck? Of course.
Is my level of appreciation for God’s grace diminished because I don’t? Absolutely not.
Whatever I have is a gift from God that is not mine because of my merit but instead because of His mercy.
I am to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and then trust that He will add to my life all that is needed financially so that I can keep doing more of the same.
Even if my income drops, I’m hopeful that my love and service to Him will not.
I’m just glad to receive any blessings from God.
Perhaps you feel the same.
As always, I love you
Martin
