How To Live A Happy And Contented Life

For his first monthly column for Men’s Fitness, American entrepreneur Mark Cuban was asked how much money is enough. His answer was, “Enough is what it takes to not worry about the bills. A lot is enough that you never have to worry about working again.“

Furthermore, he said, “… money means you can rent a jet to go wherever you want, whenever you want and no party is out of reach. Money means you can have your favorite band in your backyard, not care how much it costs and lend them your jet to get there.” – Business Insider

Do you think the man like Cuban has enough money to live happy life? Surely, he has. Does it mean that he is content? No, it does not.

The appetite of such a man grows even faster than his riches accumulates on his bank account. Probably, his biggest fear is not to loss, but not to gain. Such a man has no delight in his riches, because the more he satisfies his desires, the more he want, the more he has a need to gain more money. The more he need to gain more money, the more he has fear that he may not gain them enough to satisfy his overwhelming desires. For this reason, his own appetite starts to consume him.

Job said, “Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired” – (Job 20:20).

Scripture

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. // Philippians 4:12-13 KJV

Observation

Even though you may have all the pleasures you wish, your spirit will never find contentment in self-consuming desires. You have to learn how to live happily and contented with what God provides you.

Paul learned how to live in extremes. He knew how to live abound life and how to be abased.

Before his conversion (see Acts 9:1-30), Saul of Tarsus was a successful man born to Jewish parents who possessed Roman citizenship – a coveted privilege what any Jewish would desire. Saul studied the Hebrew Scriptures and the Law with the famous rabbi Gamaliel. He gained a great reputation, along with the name Saul the Persecutor.

After Saul’s conversion, beside his new name, Paul got to know the lows of life. Furthermore, to live abase life was not his choice, but rather a result of his turning a way from his wicked deeds and followed Christ. Further, from being the persecutor Paul became the persecuted one.

Moreover, he was prepared for anything that might come his way, either it was poverty or wealth. Because:

• His life is God’s work and plan
• God will never put him into a situation what he is not prepared for
• The Holy Spirit will prepare and guide through any difficulties

And the biggest secret of Paul was his contentment (Philippians 4:11) and trust in Christ which strengthening and satisfies the thirst.

There is nothing wrong about poverty or wealth. But, the real problems are the lack or absence of contentment and unconscionable desires.

Application

This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV

• How comfortable are you in your life?
• Are you contented with what God provides you?
• How do you use the riches what God gives you?
• Do you put your trust in Jesus Christ or rely on your own strength?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, blessed be Your name and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ who gave us the gift of salvation.

We thank You, Lord God, for all the riches You keep providing us with, regardless of its value and size. Thank You, Lord, for abound and abased life as well.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will teach us who to live our lives happily and with contentment, giving thank for everything what we have.

All these we pray in Jesus Name, Amen