But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
"I am glad to have my husband by my side," Veron told me last night. She was recounting some comments from her company's top-level expat executives at a dinner. They spoke about missing their family, sleepness nights, and taking painkillers for work-related headaches. They had noble objectives, such as wanting to create more jobs for people out there, but they also worked hard behind the image of a well-regarded, well-rewarded expatriate.
In this world, there is always an opportunity cost to doing or not doing something. The highly paid, globalized professional may have the best that material life can offer, but is not always at liberty to enjoy quality time and meaningful relationship with their loved ones. The successful entrepreneur may have garnered awards and recognition for business and brand-building, but lives every moment thinking and strategizing to keep doing better. The family members of highly successful individuals may have the best that money can buy, but cannot claim to have the same level of love and attention from these individuals.
No wonder executives and managers in top businesses & organizations are paid handsomely. I won't even think them highly paid for the costs that they pay off with their lives and that of their loved ones. No amount of money can replace or exceed the value that comes from love, care and attention. Every moment to show love, if not exercised, is gone forever. How often have we heard lamentations of "if only", "how I wish", "I should have"? How often have we read of people suddenly passing away, while at the peak of their career?
It boils down to choice. Do we choose what's important to us in life, or do we simply conform to pre-conceived notions and expectations of this world? It's a decision that everyone must make, and it will do us well to make this decision early in life, not in our sunset years because we only have one life to live.
As for me, I have learnt the secret of godliness with contentment, and I can only say that it's true this has been a gain, not just for me, but for my loved ones and people whom I serve and reach out to. I have also witnessed firsthand how God multiplied my talents and made me useful in many more ways when I abandon my life to him. God is no respecter of persons and what's important to Him is not what we can do or how much money we can make, but whether we are willing to allow Him into the driver seat of our lives.
May you discover this and many wonderful truths God has for you, and live a simple, yet profoundly powerful life,
Thomas
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