Bible Verses About Contentment That Can Make You Rich
Growing up, we never wanted for much even though compared to some of my friends, it seemed like we were lacking in the finance department. It wasn’t until junior high and freshman year of high school that I began to realize that many of the people I associated with had some big bucks (at least that what I thought back then).
For example, I’d been used to deer hunting on public land but my wealthy friends changed all of that. Up until that point, seeing deer while hunting was a rarity but after visiting some of the more expensive hunting camps, seeing over 60 deer was considered the norm.
During the summer, our family vacation consisted of a long weekend to the beaches of Perdido Key, FL and still do to this day.
But again, my friends opened my eyes to staying on Perdido Key bay for weeks at a time, going out to eat every night (yes!), and deep sea fishing using their private boat.
At that point I realized that I’d finally done it….I now thought I KNEW that all of these things were going to make me HAPPY & CONTENT.
What About Now?
After getting my “dream” job pulled out from under me, my view on getting a mountain vacation home, condo at the beach, memberships to exclusive hunting camps and upscale fishing boats abruptly changed.
Instead of striving to acquire these liabilities, my focus shifted towards getting out from under a six-figure student loan bill and a house we couldn’t pay for. In the back of my mind, I stopped focusing on thoughts of “entitlement” because many of my friends already had all the “stuff” I though’d make me happy. And instead, I shifted into survival mode.
Things happen for a reason and my past circumstances have made me a better person. Because of this, I’ve learned the valuable lesson on how to be content.
Discontentment & Consumerism
Let’s face it. Medical professionals as a whole have a big spending problem. We aren’t content to live within our means, so we go into debt to live just a little bit better than we can afford, but then suffer anxiety from the pressure of paying all our bills.
Debt is one of the main reasons financial freedom isn’t easily attained, but it should be.
We’re up to our eyeballs in student loans, consumer debt (credit card), mortgages, cars, boats, and private school.
All of these things that we think are going to make us happy keep us running on the hedonic treadmill. This is a theory that people repeatedly return to their baseline level of happiness, regardless of what happens to them.
For instance, upgrading to a new car doesn’t quite bring as much joy as one thinks it should after a few months of buying one.
This “consumerism consumption” can lead to discontentment.
Discontentment
Discontentment can cause you to make poor financial decisions. This is typically seen in someone that spends their time trying to “keep up with the Joneses“.
Unfortunately, social media makes this much too easy. We’re constantly comparing what we have to the things we could have. Society tells us that we always need more or something better and what we have now is NEVER good enough.
In today’s world, it’s not normal to step down. Once a certain level of income, spending, and lifestyle is attained, most will go into debt in order to maintain that level.
Stepping down to an affordable level is considered failure.
Yet, contentment can’t be achieved without personal discipline and staying within the lifestyle parameters God has established, based on His provision.
Studies show that some 70% of lottery winners end up broke again, many within a couple or few years.
After ONLY 2 yrs of retirement, 78% of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress because of joblessness or divorce. Within five years of retirement, an estimated 60% of former NBA players are broke.
Again, personal discipline is one of the keys to being content.
Bible Verses About Being Discontent
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
Psalm 118:1 tells us, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Luke 12:15 – “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Luke 16:13-14 – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.”
What Is Contentment?
“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor. ” – Benjamin Franklin
One of the great mysteries of life is contentment. Why is it a mystery? Because so few people have it. But contentment is not something that’s found; it is an attitude.
The word “content” comes from a Greek word that means self-sufficient or satisfied. The Stoics (Greek Philosophers) elevated this word, the ability to be free from all want or needs. But their philosophy was marked by detachment from one’s emotions and indifference to the downturns of life.
Contentment does not mean being satisfied where you are. Rather, it’s knowing God’s plan for your life, having a conviction to live it, and believing that His peace is greater than the world’s problems. And we all know that the world has it’s share of problems.
5 Ways To Learn Contentment
Popular radio show host Dave Ramsey teaches about finances and contentment from a Biblical perspective.
Here’s his advice along with accompanying bible verses about contentment.
1) Get out of debt – Debt equals risk. The Bible says the borrower is slave to the lender. Debt is financial whining, because we are doing something we wanted to do that God didn’t send us the money for. (Proverbs 22:7)
Why do people buy things on credit and loans and don’t have the money to buy them now? When you are debt-free, your life changes drastically. Your priorities change and you can’t help but feel more contentment.
2) Act your wage – We should strive to live on less than we make. The Bible says we’re foolish if we spend everything we make. Contentment is probably the most powerful financial principals there is. (Proverbs 21:20)
3) Get on a budget – We need to properly manage our money by budgeting. (Luke 14:28) – “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
4) Save money – If we don’t save money, we’ll be broke our entire life. We need to save for an emergency fund because there will be a financial emergency in our future. Try to save up and pay cash for things because we’ll spend more when we don’t. We need to invest for our future. (Proverbs 21:20) “The wise store up choice food and olive oil,but fools gulp theirs down.”
5) Give – This is the best and most fun thing we can do with money. We tithe to our local church as a basic to giving. But there are fun ways to give beyond that. Giving will change our lives. (Malachi 3:10)
Take Home Message
We all have different vices. I’ve always wanted to accomplish more and become better in whatever I’m striving to do. That’s how success is gained.
But here’s the crazy thing: I’ve experienced the greatest gain when I was content regardless of the outcome. It’s okay to be driven to succeed, but it’s unhealthy when success dictates our happiness.
I admit it’s taking me well into adulthood to realize this but better late than never.
Contentment is the most important characteristic of people who are successful with money. That’s because they think long and hard about the purchases they make and therefore have more money left over to:
- save
- invest
- give
One of the most popular bible verses about contentment that Christians quote is:
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
What they often miss is the wisdom presented by Paul in verses 11 and 12. Christian or not, this is true wisdom:
Philippians 4:11-12 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I 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.”
If you want to experience true wealth, learn to be happy with what you have and show gratitude each day and consider reading bible verses about contentment to help you jumpstart the process.