Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?- Ecc. 5:10-11

I love what the notes included with my study Bible says about these verses. It says, "Whatever financial situation you are in, don't depend on money to make you happy." Its all about contentment, and its not an easy lesson to learn. From experience I can tell you that living on little is challenging. Its often tempting to think, "if I just made a little more, it would be better," but what I should be thinking is "how can I make the best out of this?"

Although finances are one of the biggest areas many people struggle with contentment in, the struggles are not limited. Some people struggle with "keeping up with the Jones'", others struggle in their marriage, some struggle in their career.

Finding contentment does not necessarily mean you give up hope for more or better. It means that you are happy with what you have and can see the good in what IS there. I will borrow a phrase from a fellow blogger [The Orange Rhino],  make an "at least" statement. Sometimes it takes looking at our struggle and saying something like "I may not make a lot of money, but at least I get plenty of time with my children." Or maybe your situation is "I can not afford cable right now, at least I have plenty of books." These may seem simple, but it can be useful to see everything we have, rather than what we lack.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, Thank you for all the blessings in my life. Help me to have the right attitude about my situation.

Proverbs 3:29-35

Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm. Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the LORD detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.  He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.  The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame. - Proverbs 3:29-35

Prayer of Day: (J. Lee Grady) Lord, I want to bring joy and delight to Your heart. Make me a worshiper who longs for constant communion with You. 

Proverbs 3:27-28

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor,“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you” when you already have it with you." Proverbs 3:27-28

It is helpful to also read Matthew 22:34-40

^"Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

It really all comes down to love. If you love, you wouldn't hold back. If you love, you wouldn't sit by and see someone in need suffer if you can help. Its cruel, unconsiderate, selfish, and truly unloving. Lev. 19:13 even goes to so far to say that when you do you are stealing. Remember, everything around us and everything we have belongs ultimately to God. We should be using it all for His glory and honor.

Prayer: Lord, Forgive me for the times I've held on to something I should have given (and for times I should have given freely and was begrudged). Give me the strength to love when my weak humanity struggles to do otherwise.