What does it mean to be 'rich?'

What does it mean to be 'rich?' Ask a group of people and you will get a number of different answers, all of them holding some form of truth. I came across a prayer written by Paul Brand that challenged the way I answered this question. In reflecting on the parable of the Rich Young Ruler, he wrote:

Dear Lord,

I have been re-reading the record of the Rich Young Ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has got me thinking. No matter how much wealth he had, he could not - ride in a motor car, have any surgery, turn on a light, buy penicillin (or anti-biotics), hear a pipe organ, watch TV, wash dishes in running water, type a letter, (use a computer), mow a lawn, fly in an airplane, sleep on an innerspring mattress, or talk on the cell-phone….

If he was rich, then what am I?

P. Brand, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, p. 61.

Thought: Is it possible that what we consider now as 'normal', was once a great sign of wealth for previous generations? Has our access to all of these things made us any happier?

"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." - Luke 8:14

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Struggling with discontentment?

There are so many of us struggling with discontentment at the moment. I joked with a friend the other day, suggesting that if I could manufacture a pill that could offer people 'contentment' I would be a very rich man. 

The reality is that there is no such quick fix solution. I am discovering that contentment is a life-long process in which we have to actively decide to become more content. It sounds a little strange, but the more we wrestle with our discontent, the closer we can move towards peaceful content. 

So, what robs us of deep contentment? What stumbling blocks trip us up on the journey towards becoming content?

Here are some helpful words from the Bible, which I pray will guide us towards this illusive gift.

Job 36:11 - If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Philippians 4:11 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Hebrews 13:5 - 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.”

Once you have learnt the secret of contentment please share it with others.

Living in Grace

D3LM3