We should appreciate God’s blessings and be thankful for all of the blessings he has given us.

There is so much to be thankful for. “When God gives any man wealth and possessions and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work, this is a gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19)

God wants us to accept, enjoy and be grateful for the gifts that he has given to us. And yet, we can easily get trapped into thinking, “I’ll be happy if…” or “I’ll be happy when…” May I ask, who or what are you waiting on to make you happy?

Someone says, “When I get married, then I’ll be happy.” But someone else says, “When I get out of this marriage, then I’ll be happy.” The truth is, you are as happy as you want to be because happiness is a choice. Happiness is not getting what you want. Happiness is learning to enjoy what you have.

God wants us to enjoy his blessings. He wants us to enjoy what we have. First Timothy 6:17 reminds us that our “trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”

Like any loving father, I think God loves to watch us enjoy his blessings. He loves to see us enjoying all that he has given to us. But what parent enjoys watching a child who always is greedy for more? One of the marks of maturity is when we can say, “Enough is enough. I’m happy with what I have.”

God doesn’t bless us just for our own benefit. He blesses us so we can help others.

We are blessed to be a blessing. First Timothy 6 goes on to tell us to use our money to do good. We are to be “rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this, they will be storing up real treasure … in heaven.”

It’s possible to be wealthy and not be materialistic. Materialism is an attitude. You can be poor and greedy or rich and greedy. You can be poor and contented or wealthy and contented.

True contentment will never come from possessions. True and lasting contentment is found in a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Make sure your trust is in him. That’s where real security is found, and that is a decision you will never regret.

You may read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].