by Dick Innes ~ ACTS International http://www.actsweb.org

“Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5, TLB).

Author Russell H. Conwell in his book, “Acres of Diamonds,” tells about a farmer who wanted to sell his farm and work for a cousin in the oil business so he could make more money. However, before applying for this job he spent considerable time and effort doing an exhaustive study on the subject of oil to make himself well qualified for the work he wanted to do. With this knowledge he had no difficult in getting the job he wanted.

Soon after he sold his farm, the new owner discovered oil on it which eventually made him more than $100 million.

Does avoiding the love of money mean we should never seek to better ourselves? I don’t think so. What it does mean is that it is important not to allow the love of money to control us. Among other things it can stop us seeing what we already have in several areas of our life and developing these. It is not money that is the root of all sorts of evil, but the love of it. Rarely is the grass greener on the other side of the fence.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to see all the benefits I already have and make the best of these … and ‘please give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ Gratefully in Jesus’ name.”