I came across a video clip that showed a man who discovered the magic using a bond paper with black circle at the center. When he attempted to put his hand inside the circle, it amazingly went through inside an invisible hole. A bright idea came into his mind to pull-out a chocolate inside the nearby vending machine using the magic paper. He eventually tested this brilliant idea and he ended successful. Another vicious plan came with the premise in mind, that if his hand can go through anything, he can also steal the money inside the vault where he was working. One night, he applied for overtime at the office to execute this plan. He slowly entered the room and put the magic paper on the vault’s door by using a scotch tape. He was very happy when he started to take-out the money in stubs one at a time. When the vault was almost empty, he entered inside to take everything. While inside, the magic paper slowly fall down the floor due to loosen scotch tape and left him trap inside the vault. Since he was not contented with the initial money, he farther pursued and trapped himself. The morale lesson of the story is all about greed.
While watching the evening news, another related story was featured about the couple who were arrested in relation with the alleged 900 Million Peso Bitcoin investment scam. Investigation revealed that hundreds of people were tempted to invest their hard-earned money on behalf of promising return of investment (ROI). They became victims because of the easy-money-scheme and of course, greed. When is the time we can say, it is enough? This leads us to our topic on Contentment, The Antidote of Greed.
In this article, we will discuss insights and principles how we can overcome greed. First, the love of money is the root of all evil. There is nothing wrong with money itself because we need cash to buy the things we need for our daily survival. What is wrong is the desire and longing to have more. There is something wrong when we define life is all about money. I like the illustration used by one of the speakers in the seminar that I attended recently. He requested one of the participants to come over at the front to illustrate how enslaving money was. He got the microphone wire and the bound the person one round at a time until he was immobile. This was the situation of people who have been giving in to discontentment. Supposing a newly- wed couple, applied for a housing loan, that was the first wire. Then, had a car loan, it was like encircling another wire and because they were not satisfied, borrowed more money to meet their wants. Though having stable source of income but always short in paying their loan dues and utility bills month after month. Money is indeed a cruel master.
Another insight on contentment visited my mind when I attended one of our values meeting held at one of our banana farms. Since the meeting venue has been surrounded by towering trees, I vividly heard the chirping of birds during the opening prayer. I enjoyed listening to the singing of the birds and recalled Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you worth more valuable than they?” I felt refresh and light after reflecting upon God’s faithfulness in my life. Since God takes good care of the sparrows, He will take care of me and my family as well. Amen!
The Sayings of Agur in the book of Proverbs could also provide timely insights in the area of contentment. He asked two things from the Lord before his last breath. First he asked to keep him from telling a lie and second, to give him neither poverty nor wealth. Because if he has too much, he might disown God and if he becomes poor, he opted to steal and dishonor God. (Proverbs 30:7-9) Having too much wealth is treacherous and the tendency to give into temptations is very likely. As Jesus said, rich people are having difficulty in entering God’s kingdom. Like Paul, we must be content instead either in plenty or in need. (Phils. 4:12) Indeed, Godliness with contentment is a sure antidote of greed. Amen!
Man And The Word 