What is The Secret to Contentment With Your Income? Insight from Psalm 23:1

How can we find contentment? 

Our human nature is rarely happy with what we have. We are like the toddler who sees something and as he reaches out for it and screams, "Mine!" It is cute in a toddler but can lead to misery as an adult. Does the Bible teach how to be content? It does, and you may already know the passage.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

THE LORD
The first two words of this verse are the most important ones.  They begin this psalm with a view of God which is a good attitude for everything we do.

A "lord" has the authority to rule, and he has the highest status and power over those in submission to him. When you call God your Lord, then you have made the most serious declaration you can make.

A SHEPHERD
We need a shepherd...

• The shepherd provides by making sure that the sheep have food and water.
• The shepherd guides the sheep to safe pasture and brings them to freshwaters.
• The shepherd leads the sheep. They follow him to those safe places. He goes ahead to find the best and safest way.
• The shepherd shelters the sheep by protecting them from dangers.
• The shepherd watches the sheep not only as a guard but out of love for them.
• The shepherd never leaves the sheep; without his presence, they are vulnerable to attack and injury.

MY SHEPHERD
People recite this famous verse of poetic scripture and think they are covered by some universal grace. The truth is you must personally make the Lord your shepherd. God is love, so He will not force himself on you since that would not be loving. He waits for you to come to Him and choose Him. Until you do, you cannot honestly say that the Lord is your shepherd.

If you have invited God into your life (to understand more about this, see the link above for the Gospel), then God is your shepherd, and He does all these things for you. Your needs and wants are in His care.

If your needs and wants are in the care and custody of the Almighty Creator of the Universe, who is also the Lord of all Heaven and Earth and Lord of all time, then you can be confident that you have enough, because as your Lord, He knows your needs and He knows what is best for you.

YOU LACK NOTHING
You may feel something is missing, but because the Lord is your shepherd, you lack nothing.
Because He is All-Wise, He knows what is best for you and will either give it or withhold it.
Because He is All-Love, what He gives is given out of love, and what He withholds is withheld out of love.

The person who wrote the 23rd Psalm was content not because he has a lot of stuff, or a full dinner plate or a beautiful house (indeed he may have been sleeping in the open and eating roots),  but his contentment came by viewing the Lord's provision as all he needed.

We should be content because God is watching over us. He is our shepherd.

(c) Adron 7/28/18

What Should You do When You Get Wealth? Psalm 62:10

What would you do if you had a million dollars?

We all say something like, "If I only had a million dollars I would do..." and then we describe something that fulfills a dream, a longing, or creature comfort.  But what does the Bible say you should do if you did inherit or win a million dollar? Here is a suggestion from the Bible.

"Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." Psalm 62:10.

WHAT?
Do not set your heart on it. That sounds lofty and ideal but what does that mean?
To set your heart on something means:

• That thing is the object of your affection.
• You dream about it.
• You see that thing as the fulfillment of your hopes.
• That thing is essential to you.
• It begins to define you.
• Your identity and the thing you set your heart on start to become one and the same. 
• It becomes your motivation and the basis of your choices.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT
The list above is not bad if your heart is set on something wise and healthy, like family, God, church, and community. But to set your heart on wealth for the sake of wealth or to serve only yourself is not wise. Our hearts should be set on loving God, family, and serving our community. To set our hearts on wealth puts wealth in competition with God, creates selfishness, puts at risks the best things in life and opportunities to serve and know God, ultimately you risk eternity and the blessings of heaven.

THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY
This Bible verse is not just a proverbial saying. The Holy Spirit moved the patriarch to pen these words so this is not merely some advice that you can take it or leave it.

Scripture addresses the issues of your heart in many places because God has a right to it and everything you are and have. As a loving Father, God cares for our wellbeing and knows a heart set on wealth for the sake of wealth is unsatisfactory to meet our deepest need. Even Jesus affirmed this when he said,  "Where your heart is there your treasure will be also." Matthew 6:21.

DEVOTION
The scriptures do not say to refuse wealth or deny your inheritance. It does not say we should choose to become destitute. Our hearts were made for better things than gold, silver, houses, and vacations. Our hearts were made for God and will only find fulfillment in serving Him.

So, if some wealth comes your way affirm to God that He alone has your devotion and demonstrate your devotion to Him by acts of charity, tithing, and service.

(c) Adron 3/2/18

What Does The Bible Say About A Fool And His Money? Psalms 49:20

The Bible says a lot about money, but what does it say about a foolish person and money?

"A man who has riches without understanding is like the beast that perish." Psalm 49:20.

RICHES
At first glance, you think this is all about money, but riches can be many things. Riches can include all manner of property; you can be rich in talents, education, friendships, and other things of this world. Therefore, we can all consider ourselves to be rich in some way or another.

UNDERSTANDING

To have understanding is more than just an education or a broad knowledge base. 

• It is having insight into how things work. 
• It is to know the effect of your actions. 
• It is the result of experience, thoughtfulness, and imagination. 
• It is to possess an awareness of potential and possibilities. 
• It is the result of purposeful intelligence.
• It is intentional, it is not an accident and it doesn't just happen. 

We must understand wealth, how it relates to the world and what is God's purpose for our wealth.

BEAST
In God's creation, humans are set apart from the beast. In the Bible, we see God creating beast by His command, but when He created man He had greater care and intention because it says God formed man out of the dust of the ground, not by command.

The opposite of the beast that perishes is being made in the image of God. If we are in the image of God we are intended by God to be noble and virtuous, a reflection of his nature and character, we are to do great things not just to exist.

PERISH
To perish is to come to an end, it is the final conclusion. The wise author of Proverbs used these words as a statement of value or judgment; it is to say that without understanding your wealth makes you less than God intended you to be.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
You must get understanding. It is foolish to possess a powerful resource and not to understand it.  You must take time to learn about your wealth, gifts and blessings. Seek out advisors who are expert in these things. Read literature that teaches how to handle your wealth. Resolve not to be like the beast who perish.

(c)Adron Dozat 12/21/17

Why Not To Be Jealous Of The Rich

We look at the world around us and see people who seem to have it all and more. Should that inspire us to want to be like them?

"Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed- and people praise you when you prosper- they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life." Psalm 49:16-19.

DO NOT BE
This is not just advice or a suggestion; instead, the Bible gives it the strength of a command. Here is something we are clearly told to do, or in this case not to do.

OVERAWED
We should not wonder at the situation of the rich, or think too much about their lives, much less be jealous. We should not let thoughts about the rich fill our vision, and don't be impressed with their riches.

WHAT IS THE VERSE SAYING ABOUT HOUSES?
The house suggests not only bank accounts but the way of life; besides not being in awe of other people's money we should also not be impressed with their other riches such as possessions, community, influence, status, and power.

THEY WILL
There is one absolute you can count on, it is that they will take nothing with them when they die.
Riches often cause us to focus on this world as if there were no other, and they can cause some to forget the reality that one day they will stand before God.

THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE THEM
In death we are all common and those things that made us each distinct are gone we are then just like everybody else.

LIGHT OF LIFE
We have opportunities only in this life to find peace with God.  One of the dangers of wealth is that it conditions us to think that money can buy anything, but God does not sell salvation- instead, He gives it freely to those who are willing to accept it. Without Christ, all the riches of the world will still leave one hopeless and facing a dark eternity

 (c)Adron Dozat 11/19/15

What Does The Bible Say About Defaulting On Loans?

These days there are many offers to borrow money and these offers seem to target the ones who are least able to afford them.  It is tempting to think that you can take a loan and not worry about repaying; after all they are big corporations with a lot of money and our little bit won't hurt them.

Is it right to borrow money knowing that you cannot repay it?  What does the Bible say?

"The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;" Psalm 37:21.

THE WICKED
You may think it is cleaver, OK, or just a little shady, but the name that the Bible gives for getting loans and not paying them back is WICKED.  It is saying this is the act of a wicked person.

Something that is wicked is a thing or action that is condemned by God because it is full of sin.

BORROW
To call it borrowing is hardly the case, it is really theft.  It is the same as to enter a bank with a gun and take the money by force.  Instead it is theft by a lie- the lie the wicked say is that they have integrity and are going to pay it back.

AND DO NOT
There is purpose in their failure to repay.  It becomes a lifestyle of consuming and not giving back.  At one time it may not have been intentional but the practice has solidified into a mindset of self -gratification.

REPAY
There is a theme that goes through the Bible of gratitude and thanksgiving.  We are all debtors to God for life and all the blessings we enjoy.  To repay our debts honors God for whom we owe more than we ever will be able to repay.  It honors God when we pay back our loans and is an expression of obedience to God.

(c) Adron 11/1/15

If I Own It Can I Really Do Whatever I Want With It?

We may think that what we have is ours, after all we earned it, we chose it, and we have paperwork to show it is ours. but the Bible reveals a different truth.

"The earth is the Lords and everything in it, the world and all who live in it." Psalm 24:1.

IT BELONGS TO...
The earth belongs to God. The gold in the mountains and the diamonds in the valleys, the banker's bottom line, and the stockholder's trade are all the Lord's possession.

Even our own lives are not our own but belong to the giver of life and the Creator of all the living. We are not our own because as Creator of all he is owner of all.

IF THE EARTH IS GOD'S, WHAT ARE WE?
If everything ultimately belongs to God by right of creation and lordship then we are borrowers or stewards of his property. If you borrow something the owner will want it back some day and he will want it back in like condition or better- not spent and used up. A steward must not only give back the owner's property but be prepared to demonstrate responsible conduct even profitable usage of the property.

IF IT BELONGS TO GOD WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT?
We should always be ready to give an account of how we manage God's gifts, property, and resources entrusted to us.

     * WE should learn the mind of God and understand what he wants.
     * We should use his resources as he would.
     * We should be grateful to be entrusted with his property as stewards.
     * We should acknowledge his ownership.
     * We should prayerfully consider how he wants us to dispose of his possessions.
     * We should not consume his property but be respectful of it.

A GIFT
We are made in the image of God and are uniquely prepared in all of creation to be his stewards. It is a gift to have possessions to use for his glory and a shame to squander them.

Whatever it is it is not really ours it is God's; let's consider wisely how we are going to use it as he would.

____________________________

Thank you for visiting my blog. 
I hope these post help.
See my most helpful post in the sidebar.

 Adron

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The Danger Of Envying Other People's Wealth. Psalm 73:2-3

It is easy to find the person who seems to have lot more than you do. Their house looks bigger, their car is newer, their clothes are in fashion and they can eat in restaurants. While you ride the bus, eat leftovers and wear clothes that are frayed and patched up.

"But as for me, my feet almost slipped; I nearly lost my foothold. for I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." Psalm 73:2-3.

WEALTH IS NEUTRAL
There is nothing wrong with wealth. It may be God's blessing or even God's testing.

Many good people are wealthy. They worked hard, made wise choices, exercised discipline, saved, and earned the reward of vision and sacrifice. There is nothing wrong with that, and they are worthy of admiration.

Some people may obtain prosperity through dishonest means. We should not admire them.

GOD BLESSES
In either case, we should not envy the wealth of others. If God has given a person this world's treasures we should be thankful that God has shown them such blessings. If we perceive a person rejects God's goodness and spurns righteousness for themselves we know their wealth is all there is for them and they face a poor eternity without grace or blessings.

ENVY
Envy is the child of covetousness. In the Ten Commandments, God said, "You shall not covet." (Deuteronomy 5:21). When we envy we sin and break one of God's commands.

Envy is the opposite of contentment, and it robs us of the possibility contentment, and it causes us to forget the blessings we already have.

MY FEET ALMOST SLIPPED, LOST FOOTHOLD
Imagine climbing a steep mountain, near the top and the soil beneath your feet crumble and you begin to slide down toward a cliff edge. In the pilgrimage of life, we lose a valuable reference standard of moral uprightness when we begin to envy because we start to compromise deeper values for cheaper ones. When we begin to envy we jeopardize the good we have built, we are possibly risking our lives.

RESOLVE
We begin a dangerous course when we envy other people's wealth. We start to focus on the things that are secondary in life and miss the primary blessings of relationships, character, and self.

Resolve to focus on the blessings you have and not on what other people have.

 (c)Adron Dozat

Does Generosity Lead to Blessing?

Every day someone is asking for charity or a loan. Does it do any good to be a generous person?

"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice." Psalm 112:5

CONTEXT
The context of this verse is from a passage that celebrates the fear of the Lord and finding delight in God's command. If we are giving freely with the right attitude of honoring and reverencing God then He promises good will come.

LENDS FREELY
To lend something, especially money, often creates an opportunity to exploit the borrower, this was particularly true in ancient times where heavy interest was common. The one who honors God does not take advantage of people who God created and loved but sees opportunities to do good to others as service to their Father in heaven- God will not be any man's debtor he will do good in return.

JUSTICE
The second half of the verse reminds us of the need to conduct our affairs with justice, today we would say with fairness or nobility of character.

OUR PROBLEM WITH THIS
One problem is that we have our own time frame and want to see the return on the generous actions right away; but to Him a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day, (2 Peter 3:8). We can't do an act of kindness and then stand there watching the clock waiting for God. God wants us to prove him right by our faith in him and trust that he will do it.

God will not be our debtor nor will he be manipulated, he knows our motivations; he looks on the heart and if we lend to receive from God we will be disappointed.

Good comes, but what kind of good? We may be looking for good in one way but God intends something different. We can't expect to get a check in the mail because we give to charity. We might experience good in some emotional, or spiritual, or social way that can't be measured in cash.


THE BIG PICTURE
We should not focus on receiving good but on being the person who is good, generous and fair. The quality of character is a reward that is immeasurably better.

What is The First Step to Getting out of Poverty?

There are so many systems of creating wealth and getting out of poverty; some say one thing and some another. Where do you begin?

"He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, he seats them with princes, with princes of their people." Psalm 113:7-8.

The Bible quote is from a passage of praise to God for His power and care. Central in this song of worship is the statement that the Lord is the one who lifts the poor from the dust.

GOD
Our foundation and starting point is to have God in our plans. He is all-powerful and a great business partner, (make sure he is the senior partner). He knows the way to go and the future. He is wise and caring.

THE LORD LIFTS
     * He gives us the strength to look for work and do work.
     * He provides a job and an income.
     * He keeps disaster from robbing us of work.
     * He blesses our work.
     * He protects us from the economic downturns and fickle markets.
     * He opens doors of opportunity to excel in our work.
     * He watches the many things we have no control over.

DUST and ASH HEAP
Nothing is lower than dust and the ancient ash-heap was full of all manner of waste.  No matter how low you are God can lift you.

SEATS THEM WITH PRINCES
To sit with princes is to enjoy the best, and to be at the top of society. It is the inner circle of government and privilege.

Forget about being a "self-made man," strive to be a God lifted man. Acknowledge God for those who fail to honor The Almighty are not honored by The Almighty.

* * * * *

FOOTNOTE: The second interpretation.
There is another kind of poverty. Those who are poor in spirit are lifted by the Loving Father. He saw our spiritual need and sent his son to pay for our sins, so we may have salvation and its riches. This is the greater riches and most to be desired.

© Adron 9/19/13

Why Be Content With Having Little Wealth? Psalm 37:16-17

The world is full of people; some are poor, and some are very rich. Maybe it would be nice to be one of the rich, but is that really better?

"Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous." Psalm 37:16-17.

WHAT IT DOES NOT SAY
It does not say the wealthy wicked. Having material treasures is not a sin, and you are no more holy if you are poor. There are good rich people and bad ones, just as good poor people and bad ones.

BETTER THE LITTLE
If God has not given you riches, he may have given you better things, such as
     * Opportunities to grow in your faith.
     * Prayer answers as you bring your need to Him.
     * Freedom from the worries of wealth and ability to serve.
     * A closer walk with God since you are forced to trust him more.
     * More opportunities to minister to others freely.
     * Freedom to think more about The Lord and about eternal issues.
     * Money is only for this short life, but righteousness is forever.

WEALTH OF MANY
The verse contrasts the solo righteous person with many wealthy wicked. Not just the riches of one, but imagine the combined worth of all today's mega-rich. The little that the poor person has is better- if he is righteous before The Lord.

THE LORD UPHOLDS
To uphold suggest holding up someone, not just letting them lean on your shoulder, but to lift, so the one lifting has all the weight of the one being carried. It says our Heavenly Father is carrying us. He may uphold us in many different ways, not just finical but also emotionally. He may vindicate us before others, he may provide a miracle in a crisis, or he may give us peace as we go through trials.

RIGHTEOUS
Regardless of whether you are wealthy or poor, the important thing is to find righteousness. We need righteousness to stand before God. We are righteous because we come in faith to The Savior, confess our sins with repentance, and receive his forgiveness based on His death that pays for our sins.

In times of trial and testing, money does not uphold us, but the Lord does. Do not trust in wealth trust in the Lord.

(c) Adron 8/1/13

What Does The Bible Say About Not Paying Back Loans?

Is it OK to borrow money knowing you can't pay it back? You might get away with default or bankruptcy. But is there something else to consider?

The Bible says: "The wicked borrow and do not repay, the righteous give generously." Pslam 37:21.

WICKED
The Bible labels the person who borrows without paying back as "Wicked." This is not just a bad person or a sinner but someone who is evil. They are head and shoulders above others who do wrong.

THE WICKED PERSON STEALS
To borrow and not repay is theft and worse than theft, it is to commit deception. It adds lying to the crime of theft.

THE WICKED PERSON DOES THINGS GOD HATES
The Bible list six things that the Lord hates; these sins are above all others, but one thing is repeated twice- it is lying. (Proverbs 6:16-19). You borrow and say you will repay but you don't that is lying. It is often an ongoing lie that has to be repeated or reinforced. Often you lie to yourself first then to those you are borrowing from.

THE WICKED PERSON JOINS GOD'S ENEMY
God has an enemy, one that is your enemy too. This enemy has a weapon he uses above all others, and one he started. When we lie we are like this enemy, following his footsteps and giving him strength in evil. Satin is called the father of lies and a liar from the beginning. (John 8:44). To lie is to become one of Satin's followers in practice and to continue the process of becoming like Satin in character.

THE WICKED PERSON ROBS GOD
God is your Creator, and not only yours but the Creator of the person, or Lord over the institution you are borrowing (stealing) from. He is Creator of all wealth and Lord over all economies. If your Creator and Lord entrust blessings to another person or institution and you rob that person or institution of God's property they were entrusted with you are really robbing God- The Almighty, All-Powerful, Supreme Being, Commander of Angelic Armies. The English language does not have a word that describes such limits of stupidity.

THE WICKED PERSON HURTS OTHERS

• You hurt the person you rob. 
• The people who know you see a liar and thief. 
• You family are hurt because you a no longer a person of character they can count on.
• Business relations are hurt because you are a hindrance. 
• You hurt yourself because you have deceived yourself.
• Your children and grandchildren are hurt by a tragic example they will follow.
• Your economic future and that of your family.
• You hurt your character. 

A LAST THOUGHT
DON'T DO IT!

(c) Adron

Does The Bible Say Money Will Give What You Desire?

Our desire for money may be the tip of the iceberg of something else; and it is not really wealth we want but there is something, a need, or a fear that we think wealth will satisfy.

Why would someone want wealth? A partial list might be...

• We may think wealth will free us from worries. 
• We may think money will give security.
• We may wish we had what others have. 
• We may worry about providing the basic necessities of life.
• We may think money will make us attractive to a future spouse.
• We may think money will solve our debt problem.
• We may think money will give us a desirable life style.

So, the desire for wealth is motivated by these other desires; and these underlining causes are our true heart desire. What if we found a way of satisfying those desires? We would be free, and not spend all of our time and energy chasing money, we might enjoy life.

The Bible talks about our inner motivations, and gives a promise that answers our inner desires.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desire of your heart."Psalm 37:4. NIV.

DELIGHT
To delight is to find your happiness in something. This phrase, "Delight yourself," is an instruction or command, it suggests we must make it a point, a discipline, or a practice of choosing to delight ourselves in God.

We each must find how to delight ourselves in the Lord. Here are some ideas to start with.

• Read the Bible daily.
• Pray daily.
• Practice worship, (attend worship services at a community of faith). 
• Practice service to God and others.
• Meditate on the good things God does and is.

HEART
When we delight ourselves in God we will experience a change of heart. Some of those things that seemed so big and looming shrink in comparison to God. Our hearts mature beyond the smaller things and goals in life. We find a faith in God that becomes a better solution than chasing money and throwing it at problems.

GIVE
God who is all-powerful, all-good, who owns the "cattle on a thousand hills,"* has "hidden treasures stored in secret places.* and is so generous that he has already given his son to pay for our sins, (John 3:16), He promises to give you your heart's desire, and we can be confident in him.

The Bible promises that the way we may have our desires fulfilled is to delight ourselves in God.

* Psalm 50:10: *Isaiah 45:3

(c) Adron 2015