Dear Ones,
Hope you have a day of contentment! I often thank the Lord during the day for He has blessed us so much. I especially am thankful for our warm apt. on cold days. I have Women’s Bible Study later this morning and plan to do some food prep first.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How many of us are content and would say we have enough, and we don’t need more to be happy. I would suspect that most Americans have what Oliver James called the Affluenza virus, meaning “the placing of high value on money, possessions, appearances and fame.” We think we must have lots of goods and fame to be happy, but it is quite the opposite. We become more selfish and emotionally distressed as we store up more. Contentment can be had with a simple life since more does not equal happiness.

I read about avarice which is called one of the deadly sins and defined as the insatiable desire for more than we need. Most Americans would say they are weighed down by all their many goods that leave them with bursting closets and drawers. We have so much more than we need. Scripture warns us about riches and the love of money, and wealthy King Solomon who had everything said, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, or he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” (Eccl. 5:10} Scripture has over 2,000 verses on money, so we need to pay attention lest it rule us rather than be a tool to help us in giving to the needs of others.

We all have need of shelter, food and safety but when is enough, enough? There is a lot of greed as people desire more material possessions and money and what other people have.  Advertising on TV puts longing in our hearts that we never would have otherwise. So how do we guard against “Affluenza”?  What happens to just being satisfied with our needs being met? We need gratitude! Gratitude is realizing we have received help and gifts that God has given us and we are thankful. All that we have is a gift from God and if we have abundance, doesn’t it make sense that we share. The more we earn the more we can give. Let us be generous and we will experience that giving does actually make us happier than receiving.

Challenge for today: Uproot avarice from your heart and give generously without expecting in return.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy