No Happier Now

“Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” -Luke 12:15-

When Torrie & I were first married, we lived in a very, very small apartment. It was the best we could do at the time, but we looked on the bright side. For example, we just had to plug the vacuum cleaner once because its cord could reach every where in the apartment from one outlet. It was small but it was cozy.
We didn’t Have central air or heat; there were no double-panned windows, so ice would form on the inside of the windows. The walls were paper thin and I’m fairly certain that the one bathroom we had was taken out of a small airplane.
We were just starting out and we were technically living well below the poverty line. We ate Ramen noodles regularly. A night on the town meant ice water for two and then splitting an appetizer. Our goal was to keep the check under $10. Yep, the servers loved us.
Years later, we were lying in bed reminiscing and playing “Can you top this?” And cracking each other up with the memories. Then we grew quiet and she said, “Are you any happier now than you were then?” I didn’t even have to think. “No,” I said. “I’m not.”
That story isn’t unique; if you’ve been alive for awhile, you can probably tell a similar one. Even though we know experientially that money won’t satisfy us, still we always seem to be chasing it. But the Bible reminds us many times that our lives are not measured by how much we have and that wealth can never really satisfy. So Paul gives this advice to young Timothy: “Flee from pursuing wealth; don’t put your hope in money. It is so uncertain. Be rich in good deeds. Be satisfied with having food and clothing. ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain’ ” (see 1 Timothy 6:6-19). It’s advice worth heeding.

DENYING TODAY
Sit with your spouse or a close friend and tell some of your own “remember when” stories. Ask yourselves the same question: Are you any happier now than you were then? Read 1 Timothy 6:6-19, and then write several phrases of Paul’s advice regarding money and possessions. Underline the ones you most need to be reminded of today.