CONTENTMENT IS A GREAT GAIN

Many years ago I visited a multi millionaire elderly but frustrated friend. He was then in his late seventies. He sat recluse and deeply unhappy. He was living in a Private Estate of about 14 fully detached houses. He owned all the houses. Located strategically at the center of the Private Estate, was his opulent quasi Palace.

He then told me never to make the mistake he made.

My ears were itching to hear. He reeled them out in between sobs – Those 14 houses were built for his children. Most of the boys traveled overseas and never settled in Nigeria. The few that live in Nigeria never liked the houses and built their own houses. The rich man and his wife had arthritis and could not walk upstairs to their room in their own mansion. Both were then living in their Guest Room downstairs. Rodents and reptiles naturally took over many of those houses.

Physically, I saw a rich man lamenting.

He then advised me never to build big houses for myself or my children.

… That was the advise!

Hear me: Anything you acquired in excess will give you headache if not now but in the nearest future.

Those who have a fleet of cars will have high maintenance budget for vehicles that are largely underutilized. They will have regular liaison with car mechanics.

Those who have many houses will be occupied with many tenant related problems – Its either the roofs are falling off or the houses are due for repainting or some recalcitrant tenants have taken you to court. I forgot to mention land use charges .

My friend what you need to be happy is not as much as you imagine.

When you get to your mid fifties, you will suddenly observe that your house is too big for you.

The reason is that the children are gradually leaving the house to either marry or move to their homes.

You will suddenly notice that your 5 bedroom house has only two (2) inmates – You and your spouse. And you share one room anyway!!!

One word summarizes this message: CONTENTMENT.

Be content with what you have. Do not get involved in the rat race. Do not attempt to be like someone else.

Who told you the Person you want to rival is “Truly Happy” in the real sense of it?

Hear the Master Jesus Christ saying in Luke 12:15 — “A man’s life does not consist or depend on what he possesses.”

Instead the WORD of life says: GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT is Great Gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

Work with Wisdom. Do not sweat and labour and possibly hurt yourself for what you do not really need. Work hard for what you need and be content.

This way, one will not regret in old age like my elderly friend.

God bless you real good!

COPIED FROM: PASTOR SIMEON ARANONU’S WALL