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. 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
Paul speaks of two kinds of hope here. Some people “put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,” while others “put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” These are very different kinds of hope!
When God gives you more, you need to develop a holy discontent with the things of this world. And the more God gives you, the more important this becomes.
Burroughs says, “It may be said of one who is contented… that he is the most contented man in the world, and yet the most unsatisfied man in the world…. Though he is contented with God in a little, yet those things that would content other men will not content him.”
He continues, “The men of the world seek after wealth, and think: ‘If I had, perhaps… two or three hundred a year then I would be well enough’ [Burroughs was writing in 1648!]. ‘If I had but a hundred a year, or a thousand a year,’ says another, ‘then I would be satisfied.’ But a gracious heart says, ‘If I had ten hundred thousand times more a year, it would not satisfy me!’”
This is the complete opposite of what you would expect. The world is discontent with less, and says, “You will find contentment with more.” But God says, “Learn to be content with less, and learn to be discontent with more.”
Do you need to learn to be content with less or learn to be discontent with more?