Dear Editor,

The Apostle Paul said that “godliness with contentment is great gain”. He also said in the same passage, 1 Timothy 6 that “the love of money is the root of all evil”. The latter expressed in contemporised wisdom may read, “The pursuit of money will lead to many dark places.”

Jesus, before that, said that “a man’s life consisteth not of the abundance of things which he possesseth”. What is the stuff of which a good life is made?

The transformation of self and one’s attitudes are more critical to success than many seem aware. And where now one finds that life is turning out to be a miserable series of mirages, and critical relationships are being daily compromised — being replaced by an endless serious of tense legal and illegal partnerships, which leave little room for friendships — we have yet to discover that a change of focus will bring rich rewards of contentment.

Paul’s suggestion in 1 Timothy 6 of change includes:

* Do not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who brings real joy.

* A willingness to help others brings eternal riches, which starts in the present life.

* Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.

Do you see the theme of relationships coming out of this passage?

It is interesting that the only thing that was declared not good during the creation was that man was at first without a companion, and God fixed the problem by creating Eve. This underscores the fact that we are social beings; we need each other.

In the same creation story we are told that our species were created in the image of God. This underscores the fact that we are also spiritual beings; we need God. This is how we were made, and to ignore it is foolhardy. Money does not bring happiness and joy, the content of great relationships with God and man does.

Here are a few quotes on money, contentment and godliness that seek to put things into perspective:

Money

“It comes with the illusive promise glee, but no sooner than it comes and it begins to flee. Then one’s life is spent in pursuit of it, only to find it ain’t worth a bit.”

“One runs a risk of misery when money is goal, for it does not, yeah, cannot satisfy; it cannot feed the soul.”

“My wealth is to trust in God for things that money cannot buy, for tis not a house I need but a home that His Grace doth only supply.”

Contentment

“Contentment then is the goal to reach, and this we should pursue. This does not need a lot of things; it can happen with but a few.”

Godliness

“Godliness is the way to find the happiness you crave, and more than that, it gives you hope of life beyond the grave.”

Relationship

“If only to brag about the things I have this fact I can’t deny, it is on others that I must depend; on their judgements I must rely.”

Charles Evans

Northern Caribbean University

charles.evans@ncu.edu.jm