Good morning, Dolly - great pic!
December 17, 2007
READ: 1 Timothy 6:6-16
Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you . . . might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Wall Street Journal columnist Jonathan Clements offered his readers Nine Tips for Investing in Happiness. Interestingly, one of his suggestions was precisely the same as that given in the favorite old hymn by Johnson C. Oatman, Count Your Many Blessings. Clements urges us not to brood over the riches of our neighbors but to focus on the many blessings we actually do possess. Thats wise counsel, provided that we realize our spiritual wealth in Jesus is immeasurably more valuable than any material possessions.
God didnt give us the Bible as a guidebook for happiness. Yet it tells us how we can be eternally joyful and how we can experience joy on our way to that eternal happiness. So its enlightening to compare biblical truth with common-sense advice.
Godliness with contentment is great gain, Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:6). The apostle wanted his protégé to understand that being grateful for the basics of life would help keep him from the trap of covetousness.
So lets focus on the wonders of Gods grace, training ourselves to make a spirit of gratitude pervade our lives. Thats the way to experience joy today and to be forever joyful.