While unchecked human desire often leads to greed, the Bible offers a different value system for Christians regarding materialism and contentment. Our human inclination to prioritize earthly rewards often comes at the cost of our relationship with God. 

Romans 1:25 tells us that sinful, wicked people “traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” 

Following Christ leads us to submit these desires to God’s plan, finding the moments of joy in our daily lives, which ultimately lead us to contentment. 

Habakkuk 3:17-19 

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. 

Psalm 16:5-6 

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! 

Psalm 37:7 

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. 

Ecclesiastes 2:24*

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 

*Study Note: Life Application Study Bible: note for Ecclesiastes 2:24 

Is Solomon recommending we make life a big, irresponsible party? No, he is encouraging us to take pleasure in what we’re doing now and to enjoy the good things in life because they come from God’s hand. True enjoyment in life comes only as we follow God’s guidelines for living. Without him, satisfaction cannot be found. Those who really know how to enjoy life are the ones who take life each day as a gift from God, thanking him for it and serving him in it. Those without God will have no relief from toil and no direction to guide them through life’s complications. 

1 Timothy 6:6-8 

True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 

Galatians 5:26 

Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. 

Hebrews 13:5  

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 

Proverbs 16:16 

How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! 

Luke 12:15*

Then [Jesus] said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 

*Study Note: Life Application Study Bible: note for Luke 12:15 

Jesus says that in his Kingdom the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, so we should be on guard against every kind of greed (the desire for what we don’t have). Society usually says the exact opposite. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to entice us to think that if we buy more and more of their products, we will be happier, more fulfilled, or more comfortable. How do you respond to the constant pressure to have more? Learn to tune out the constant enticement to have more and concentrate instead on the only way to lasting satisfaction—discovering great abundance in a relationship with God, who supplies blessings and fulfillment beyond our wildest expectations. 

Matthew 6:19-21 

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” 

Ecclesiastes 6:9-10 

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Dig deeper into more verses with the New Living Translation and the Life Application Study Bible notes.>

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