Greed vs. Contentment

As I drove past the gas station today I had to stop for a moment and take this picture. I am amazed at the greed of the oil companies, tobacco companies, and other major corporations. And to top it off, the amount of money it costs for us to live in this country is becoming insane. Yes, we do have an abundance and are blessed with many conveniences that give us a very comfortable life. However, those abundances come at a high price.

Let's just look at the oil companies for a moment. $2.88 per gallon for fuel. And that is low compared to what it was just a few short months ago. The oil companies are recording profits in the hundreds of billions of dollars per year and the average American is living paycheck to paycheck.

The Bible tells us what God thinks about such abundance.

Ecc 5:10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

1Ti 6:6-11 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

I know that I am never going to be one of the select few that has such financial abundance. Even if I did, God calls me to be content in the simple things... food and clothing. We must as Christians pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. What a great list to pin on the wall and strive for.

So as the oil companies strive to fill their pockets with our hard earned money I find great joy in knowing that I am working towards filling my eternal bank with the things that matter. Though I would love to have all of the financial needs in my life met, I know that God will take care of me if I pursue Him first...

just a thought...

weapher


edited 02-01-2008
check out this link $40.6 billion last quarter for exxon alone!!! Disgusting!