“A tranquil, peaceful heart gives life to the body, but envy makes our bones rot.” (Prov.14:30). Don’t love money; be content with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Heb.13:5).
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your energy and days on what will not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and ‘eat’ what is good—everything I am pleased to give you of myself and from my endless supply of good gifts (1Tim.6:17). That’s when you will experience the delight for which I have made you and redeemed you.” (Paraphrase of Isa.55:2).
Lord Jesus, what shocking contrasts—A healthier us through contentment and tranquility, or bone-rot through living by comparison and envy? Having you as our deep satisfaction and delight, or racing to get more of what cannot and will not bring the satisfaction for which we long? Storing up stuff for ourselves, or being rich in you? (Luke 12:21). Help us Jesus!
How can we cultivate tranquil, non-anxious, robustly satisfied hearts? Jesus, I wish there was a pill, formula, or “easy fix.” We will only enjoy perfected, 100% peace-filled, envy-free hearts in heaven. But until then, I know of no other way of cultivating deep contentment and delight than walking with you—spending time adoring and communing with you, Jesus—knowing you better, loving you more (Phil. 1:21; 3:10).
Jesus, the more I behold your beauty, the less anything else dazzles and tempts me. The more I’m alive to the riches of grace, the more other currencies lose their value and hold on my heart. The more I experience you delighting in me, the less people’s approval matters to me. Jesus, the more you are my treasure, the more all else seems like fool’s gold. May it ever be so, more and more. So Very Amen.