If I only had...I would be happy

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8

The Yiddish writer I. L. Peretz tells the story of a down-trodden, poverty stricken man by the name of Bontsche who dies and goes to heaven. As a reward for his years of suffering an angel asks him what is his most fervent wish. The man replies, “I should like to have every morning, a hot roll with fresh butter.” That was it – a warm piece of bread with butter. Forget the hunk of cheese, the expensive car or the palatial home. He was satisfied having what he wished for on earth but had often been denied.

What would it take for you to be really satisfied? “If I only had,” we often say, usually filling in the blanks with material items, then we would be happy.

No one in his right mind would deny that having three meals a day, adequate housing, clothing, friends and family are important. But have we placed too much value on the trappings of affluence as a prerequisite to being happy?

The phenomenal success of Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life is a powerful demonstration of the fact that one of the most affluent generations in history is also one of the most poverty-stricken, spiritually speaking. “What’s life really about?” people today cry in loneliness. “What’s missing that I desperately need?”

In one of her songs, Britney Spears, who has had fame and fortune, asks, “If there’s nothing missing in my life, why do these tears come at night?” The one with the biggest pile of toys is not the winner. It may well be the contented Bontsche who has his roll and butter inside heaven’s gate.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:7-12