"All that glitters is not gold" (extracted from The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare). That is a good reminder to not be taken in by what might seem precious but actually is not. Apostle Paul advised his protégé Timothy and subsequent readers to have godliness and contentment with what we have even if it is only the basics of sufficient food and clothing. "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people 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 6:8-10). Money in itself is not bad. Let money serve us instead of us serving money. Paul also says, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" 1Timothy 6:17). Enjoyment! Paul said, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).
