Topic > Christian Living > Contentment >
For Love or Money
Irish poet Oscar Wilde said, “When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old, I know that it is.” His comment was made tongue-in-cheek; he lived only to age 46, so he never truly was “old.” Wilde fully understood that life is not about money.
Money is temporary; it comes and it goes. So life must be about more than money and what it can buy. Jesus challenged the people of His generation—rich and poor alike—to a recalibrated value system. In Luke 12:15, Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your…
Precious
“My precious . . .” First portrayed in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, the image of the emaciated creature Gollum in his maniacal obsession with the “precious” “ring of power” has become an iconic one today—for greed, obsession, even insanity.
It’s also a troublingly relatable image. In his tormented love-hate relationship with both the ring and with himself, Gollum’s voice echoes the hunger in our own hearts. Whether it’s directed at one thing in particular, or just a vague longing for “more,” we’re sure that once we finally get our own “precious,” we’ll be satisfied. But instead, what we thought would make…
Out of the Trap
The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands not far from our home in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they are carnivorous.
Venus flytraps release a sweet-smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, triggering sensors along the outer rim, the trap clamps shut in less than a second—capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.
God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle…
Be Still, My Soul!
Picture a parent poised lovingly over a child, finger gently placed in front of nose and lips softly speaking the words—“hush,” “shhhh.” The demeanor and simple words are meant to comfort and quiet anxious little ones in the midst of disappointment, discomfort, or pain. Scenes like this are universal and timeless and most of us have been on the giving or receiving end of such loving expressions. When I ponder Psalm 131:2, this is the picture that comes to mind.
The language and flow of this psalm suggest that the writer, David, had experienced something that provoked serious reflection. Have you…
The Secret of Peace
Grace is a very special lady. One word comes to mind when I think of her: peace. The quiet and restful expression on her face has seldom changed in the six months I have known her, even though her husband was diagnosed with a rare disease and then hospitalized.
When I asked Grace the secret of her peace, she said, “It’s not a secret, it’s a person. It’s Jesus in me. There is no other way I can explain the quietness I feel in the midst of this storm.”
The secret of peace is our relationship to Jesus Christ. He is our…
The Best Portion of All
“His piece is bigger than mine!”
When I was a boy my brothers and I would sometimes bicker about the size of the piece of homemade pie mom served us. One day Dad observed our antics with a lifted eyebrow, and smiled at Mom as he lifted his plate: “Please just give me a piece as big as your heart.” My brothers and I watched in stunned silence as Mom laughed and offered him the largest portion of all.
If we focus on others’ possessions, jealousy too often results. Yet God’s Word lifts our eyes to something of far greater worth than…
Landing in the Pig Pen Instead of My Dream Job
As I walked into the farm yard in my pink-striped wellies and oversized farm gear, I was hopeful that this job would only be for a couple of weeks.
Living generously toward others
You don’t have to be a millionaire to be rich in good deeds! In fact, God has a special assignment for those He has blessed. Today on Discover the Word, we explain how regardless of what we do or don’t have, we can be generous toward others! Listen today to Discover the Word!
Enjoying God’s good gifts
We can take pleasure in the homes we live in, the food we eat, or the stuff we have. But if we do, does that mean we’re overly materialistic? Join us today on Discover the Word when our special guest Jeff Manion helps the team explore the difference between loving and enjoying God’s good gifts. […]
Making do with less
The boxes of stuff that fill our attic, consume our garage, or clutter our basement can fill the empty spaces in our home. But they can’t fill the empty spaces in our life. Today on Discover the Word, the team, and special guest Jeff Manion explain the biblical way to gain more, by making do […]
A biblical look at contentment
All the billboards, commercials, and advertisements that surround us are very good at telling us what we need to have. But how much is truly enough? Today on Discover the Word, special guest Jeff Manion along with the team, talk about the pull of materialism and whether it’s right to want more. A biblical look […]
Leave the legacy of contentment
You’ll never see a hearse pulling a U-haul! That’s because when we die, we leave all that we have behind! Today on Discover the Word, special guest, Jeff Manion, leads the talk about finding contentment in the legacy we leave behind. What will you leave your loved ones when you pass on? Listen today to […]
The one thing for perfect contentment
The truth is, there’s only one thing you need to become perfectly content. Once you obtain this one thing, you’ll always be satisfied. Today on Discover the Word, the team and special guest, Jeff Manion share the secret to contentment. Here’s a hint: it’s not any material possession! Don’t miss the conversation today on Discover […]
The secret of contentment
It’s easy to feel satisfied when life is good. But when circumstances take a difficult turn, contentment can fly out the window! Today on Discover the Word, we explore the apostle Paul’s secret to contentment in every circumstance. A biblical look at satisfaction regardless of our situation today on Discover the Word!
Learning to be content in who we are
Are you feeling a bit restless? Do you feel a lack of personal satisfaction and purpose in your life? Well, today on Discover the Word, the team, along with special guest, Jeff Manion, will share the personal satisfaction we can have when we realize our true identity. We’re learning to be content in who we […]
