Morning Musing Over Coffee - Contentment

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

Who is rich? He who rejoices in his portion. ~ The Talmud

We're not just happier, not just more peaceful but rich when rejoicing in what we have. And this quote from ancient Jewish wisdom is further supported in 1 Timothy when Paul says we have great gain when we are content. This doesn't mean lazy, slothful or uncaring, it simply means that we know He will take care of us regardless of our circumstances and we rest in that knowledge as we do the work He calls us to do.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

1 Timothy 6:6

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TUESDAY - Turn It Up Tuesday

Will More Money Make Me Happier?

In Sunday School the last couple weeks we have been talking about greed, and the many ways it can show up in our lives.

One of the questions asked today was whether more money will make us happier.  I think most of know that being happier isn't usually as simple as just having more money. At the same time it's easy to think that surely it would have to help.

But there was one point made in the lesson that I found really interesting and it was this - nearly all the studies done recently on money and happiness show that only when it relieves abject poverty does money make a measurable difference in a person's level of happiness. Somehow this really  stuck with me.

All too have often I have a tendency to think that I really don't need to be rich but just a little more money would make me so much happier. But apparently that isn't the case. I am not experiencing abject poverty. I have plenty of food, clothing, a sound home that keeps me warm in winter and cool in summer.

So I guess that "little bit more" probably wouldn't do a whole lot for my happiness. What I really need to learn is found in these two verses . . .

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Timothy 6:8

. . . for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11