I Tim. 6:-11 says:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

My wife and I were talking at lunch about where we live and where we might like to live if given the opportunity. There is a community not far from where we currently are, one that I find very attractive . I have long said I would like to live there. We don’t because we can’t afford it. Despite so many positives, our budget just would not allow it.

Anyway, our discussion concluded on the following note: I have caviar dreams but a Ramen noodles budget. Perhaps my limited budget is a good thing. Maybe if I could afford to live in that community, a larger budget would allow me to do other things I shouldn’t do.

I Timothy 6 makes it clear that loving money is a bad thing. It’s the root of all evil. The thing is that money itself is just fine. It’s a tool. Money is a means for transacting business between people who need things and those who can supply what’s needed. So having money isn’t a bad thing in and of itself. It becomes a bad thing when a person’s heart loves money more than other things God considers of higher value.

Some of those things are mentioned in I Timothy. They include:

• Righteousness – The practice of living a righteous life.
• Godliness – The practice of demonstrating God’s nature in one’s daily life.
• Faith – The practice of believing what God says and then doing it.
• Love – The practice of selflessly putting other’s needs above one’s own.
• Patience – The practice of both waiting on God and letting people be themselves.
• Meekness – The practice of not exalting oneself above anyone else.

In God’s eyes, all six of these characteristics are far more important than money. They all have a greater impact on life than one’s bank account. Not only that, they also have an impact on eternity. A bank account has no such impact. When a person dies, whatever money is left behind goes to someone else.

Caviar dreams can be somewhat fun and entertaining. But they can also be a trap. Sometimes I find myself caught in that trap, so much so that my dreams become a snare that prevent me from moving forward with God. The only way out is to make the choice to be content with where God has me.

Do you have caviar dreams and a Ramen noodles budget? Trust that God knows what he’s doing in terms of how he has financially blessed you. Be careful of the trap of constantly dreaming about something better – at least in this life. If you want better, focus on a better eternity. Lay up treasures in heaven. That’s where it’s at. In this life, choose to be content. Remember that contentedness with godliness is great gain.

Posted on: August 31, 2023