My post called What’s the Best Way to Help the Poor is up today over at Christian Personal Finance.  I wanted to provide a link to it from here because I had a lot of fun writing that post and wanted to also start a good discussion over there as well.

Sometimes the very things we think will help the poor end up hurting them and the very things they really need – we don’t give to them.

Too often we only want to help the people who “deserve it”, but is that the right way of thinking about helping the poor?  Remember, Jesus said to love our neighbors as ourselves – well what does that mean when it comes to the poor, the marginalized, the weak and infirmed?

So what are the best ways to help the poor?  I’d love to hear your thoughts – so check out the post over at Christian PF!

There are many good things in life that bring us joy!  A beautiful sunset, a great relationship, a good Fillet Mignon and yes, even money!

There is nothing wrong with good things, in fact, it’s my belief that God has given these things for us to enjoy!  Yes, to enjoy! 

I wholeheartedly believe that Christians should be the biggest hedonists in the world, but our hedonism is of a different sort.  We live for pleasure through a right relationship with God. 

God should be ultimate in our lives and everything else is secondary.  Those things become a tool to glorify Him when we are using them properly.

John Piper says it best, “God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied with Him”.

Christians should be some of the happiest people on earth because God has given good things for us to enjoy so that when used and viewed rightly we bring glory to Him.

This includes money.  I love talking about money and happiness.  In our culture, it seems that we’ve gone off track somewhere though. 

Most Americans seem to believe that if they could only get that next promotion or the bigger raise, then they’ll be able to afford a nicer car, a bigger home, more stylish clothes and be happier.

To some degree, more money does make us happy, but don’t you see what we’ve done?  We’ve made money the ultimate!

Any time we take a good thing and make it ultimate, it becomes our functional savior!  It becomes our idol!  We think that particular thing will save us from our problems, calm our anxieties and fears, and satisfy our search in life for something more.

But here’s the thing – money is not our savior!  Christ is!

So, if you’ve been defined by your money and have viewed money as ultimate in your life, whether that has shown itself through workaholism, greediness, frugality, obsessions with saving or buying or even, dare I say, an obsession with becoming debt free – you need to re-evaluate what is ultimate in your life.

What To Do If Money Has Become Your Functional Savior

Repent  from the Idol

We always need to start here any time we discover we’ve been worshiping at the feet of another god.  Turn from your idol worship and turn to God and worship Him.

Replace the Idol

We can’t just simply say, “I’m going to stop loving money so much” at the surface level.  There is only one way to deal with this issue correctly and that is a reorientation back to the gospel of Jesus Christ – to see in the gospel the wealth of God to give us the Son.   

2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Any effort to break the grip of money as your functional savior will fail if you do not deepen your understanding of what we have in the salvation of Jesus Christ.  

Rearrange your priorities

Instead of thinking, “what’s the next level of income, job status, house, car or TV you can achieve” – think about the next level of using your money for the sake of the gospel!!

In a sense our priorities should be set on simplification, not accumulation.

Our priorities should be the advancement of the kingdom of God, the reign and the rule of Christ here on earth, and how we can store up treasure for ourselves by giving to those in need. 

What are some practical ways to rearrange priorites and strip money from being a funcitonal savior?

• Build generosity into your budget
• Give time and money to local shelters
• Become a tutor for a local child in need
• Have a garage sale or sell junk on ebay and give the proceeds away to a hurting family
• Adopt a child
• If you’re good at handling money, then serve at a shelter & teach financial skills
• Instead of accepting a promotion based on money think about whether your job will allow you to invest into others

Agree?  Disagree?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of teaching a Young Marrieds class at my church about finances and faith.

The first week we walked through Luke 12:13-34 and discussed what it means to live missionally with our money, some pitfalls to living missionally with our money and then how to actually live missionally with our money.

This weekend I’ll post one of the pitfalls we discussed from that passage, which was worry.

Here’s Luke 12:22-31:

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 

26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you,  O you of little faith!

29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead,  seek his  kingdom, and these things will be added to you

Worrying about food and clothing was more common in that day than it is for us in middle-class America.  I’ve never once got up in the morning and stressed out because I wasn’t sure there was food in my fridge!  Or freaked out because I didn’t think I’d have any clothes in my closet.

 In that day, in an agricultural society if there was a poor crop you were out of luck – this was your livelihood. 

When we’re hungry, we just go to the fridge, grab some food and we’re good to go – or we go to a restaurant and pay someone to make our food and bring it to us.

Don’t miss another post! Get Redeeming Riches delivered straight to your inbox!

We have to understand that this was more common back in that day than it is for us. So what would this mean for us today? 

In today’s society – and especially coming through what many are calling the Great Recession, maybe we could say: “don’t be anxious about your job security, or meeting your monthly expenses because work is slow.”

• Don’t worry about how you’ll provide for your family.
• Don’t be anxious for that big promotion that you think will be the answer to your problems.
• Don’t worry about where your next paycheck is going to come from.
• Don’t worry about your comfort or security.

Why?  Verse 30 says it’s because the Father knows you need them – He knows you need a job and you need to provide for your family and if God provides for the filthy winged-rats (ravens) and He clothes the grass, how much more will He take care of you!?

Usually, the things we worry about reveal how badly we want those things OR it reveals how we think life will end if certain things don’t happen.

Ultimatley, worry reveals what we worship!  Look at verse 30 again:

“…All the nations of the world seek after these things!” 

Everyone is working for more money, more clothes, more status, more house, more,more, more.

But as Jesus repeatedly does throughout Scripture – He calls us to a different and radical standard.  He calls us to live differently than the world by setting our affections higher.

William Hendricksen puts it this way,

“What Jesus is saying is that believers must differ in their inner yearnings, must set their hearts on different things, must be controlled by different ideals, and must be motivated by a  different love.”

See, as Christians,  we are different in our yearnings and affections – we are different because of our worship. 

We don’t worry about our possessions or our job, or our next paycheck, or depleting our savings accounts, or our cars, or our homes,  or whatever it is that we worry about because as Christians we don’t worship that stuff!

We worship the great, triune God, the Sovereign Creator of ALL, the Great Provider, the Sustainer, the Lover of our soul,  the Giver of good things – We worship HIM!!

And we seek the kingdom of God – “and these things will be added to you”.

The irony is that when we worry about and strive for earthly treasure – we’re left empty.  But when we seek the kingdom of God – He makes sure you’re provided for. 

Trust in Him!

photo courtesy of Roberto Bouza

Most people I know have an innate sense for helping others. We may argue over how much we should help each other or even what the the best way is to help others.

We may discuss the government’s role in helping others versus our local church. But, we often dismiss how our economy is set up to allow us to help others in almost everything we do.

The Three Easy Ways to Support Others

Charity - giving with nothing expected in return.
Buy a Good – buying something with high value for a low fee.
Sell a Good – selling something with a low cost at a high price.

How These Three Support Others

Charity

The first thing that comes to mind when supporting each other is charity. I define charity as any time I give something to someone else and expect nothing in return.  For example, you may want to give to the homeless through a local shelter, or you may want to donate to help Haiti earthquake victims. 

Even the great capitalist Andrew Carnegie supported charity, but he understood the importance of giving wisely.

“Those who would administer wisely must, indeed, be wise, for one of the serious obstacles to the improvement of our race is indiscriminate charity” – Andrew Carnegie

When giving money away you are investing in others and your community. Although you receive nothing directly in return, the act of charity may help someone survive another day or get past a road block that is keeping them from living out their God given potential.

Buy a Good

A less understood way of actually giving is buying a good. Every time you buy something from someone you are helping them out. They used their creative talents and abilities to manufacture a product or service for you at some cost and by paying them you are giving them in opportunity to buy something with more value in their eyes in exchange. You still have to be wise when buying something, though. If you buy something that you really don’t want then you are essentially giving away money as charity and should evaluate the decision from the perspective of a charity gift instead of a purchase.

Don’t miss another post! Get Redeeming Riches delivered straight to your inbox!

Sell a Good

The flip side of buying a good is selling one. Just as a buyer helps a seller, the seller is also helping the buyer. When you work hard and create a good that has value to others you are supporting them by giving them an object of great value at a cost that is cheap to them. This is why they buy it. Again, though, you must be wise and only sell things that can be made at a cost lower than the selling price otherwise this is also a charity.

What This Means for You

Remember the joy you get every time you give to someone in need. Now that you know buying and selling also help others you can be happy every you reward a hard worker when making a purchase or provide value to someone when selling a good. Of course, never stop giving. Your investments to those in need will pay off now and forever, but be happy every time you make a wise buy or sell.

Verses to Consider

• Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18
• All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

This has been a guest post by Ryan.  He is the creator of ObsessedAnalytic.com, a blog for young adults helping them Find Time, Save Money, and Have Fun

Lately I’ve been reflecting on giving and our heart motivation behind it. 

I’ve had the great opportunity to teach a money class the last couple weeks to a Young Marrieds group at church and It’s been a great experienc for me, because I’ve had to spend some time digging in to Scripture to get me prepared to talk about money and theology.

In general, most people know we should give, but what is our motivation behind our giving – in other words, why give?

Here’s a look at a few reasons to the question of:

Why Do People Give Their Money?

We’ll talke a look at a few not-so-good reasons and then a couple really good reasons.

To Earn God’s Favor

One group might settle in on this side of the room.  These folks think that by giving money to the church or giving money to a homeless person that somehow God will smile on them and be pleased. 

On the flip side, they may also think that if they don’t give, then God will be mad at them!  So, to appease a cranky and crotchety old god they need to just give!

To Get a Blessing

They give because they want to get an abundance.  This seems to be prevalent.  I recently received a direct message on Twitter from someone talking about God’s abundance being poured out on me!

I think there is some confusion in this camp and hopefully I can clear it up:

We don’t give to GET a blessing – we give to BE a blessing!

To Get Rid of Guilt

Others give because they want to rid themselves of guilt.  Maybe they feel guilty for being “blessed” while others suffer in need; or they feel guilty because they think that in order to be a “good person” they need to give.  The thought of not being a “good person” kills them.

Don’t miss another post!  Get Redeeming Riches delivered straight to your inbox!

To Garner the Praise of Men

Some of us like to give because we want others to know and think that we are very generous!  Remember the pharisees in the New Testament that would throw their coins in to the offering to make a loud clang so everyone could hear?  That’s some of us.  We give to get noticed or to “be somebody”.

To Get a Good Feeling

There is a good feeling we all get when we give.  We feel like we were part of something bigger or that we made a difference in someone’s life when we give. 

Those are great feelings!  I love feeling that way after I give, but is it our sole motivation in giving?  Is it just to make us feel good?

To Get a Tax Deduction

As a finance guy, I love tax deductions!  Who doesn’t – am I right?  But, there are plenty of folks out there who only give because they can write it off on their taxes. 

Are you one of the one scrambling on December 31st to find a charity and donate money so you can write that off?

To Glean Meaning or Purpose from Life

Oh, meaning and purpose – everyone’s quest in life.  Some say there is none – other’s know exactly why we are here.  Those trying to find meaning and purpose, trying to be a part of something beyond themselves may give just to feel like they are accomplishing a mission.

Again, nothing wrong with finding meaning – but are we grasping at finding purpose through our giving or do we find our purpose in Christ himself?

What Should Our Motivation Be?

Notice that each of those motivations above are self-focused – We get something in return.  It really becomes all about us! 

So why should we give?

Because We Want to Help

I think many of us have a really sincere desire to help people.  That’s great!  We should desire to come alongside others, meet needs and to defend social justice because we value others and truly want to help them!

For some reason, it seems like in America we’ve lost a sense of “being a neighbor” to others.  On the block I grew up on there was always someone watching out for us, conversations between neighbors going on and a willingness to go and help each other.

I think we need (myself included) to get back to being a good neighbor.

Because Jesus Demonstrated It Best

Take a look at 2 Corinthians 8:9:

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Jesus had everything in heaven – He was rich.  Yet He gave all that up to come to a lowly stable, to be the son of a poor Jewish couple – why?  So that we who embrace Him as Savior might become rich (all the glorious riches and benefits of spending eternity with God in heaven!)

He did it for you!  He gave up everything, to the point of a scandalous and shamed death on a Roman cross so we might have life!

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:28

Let’s reorient ourselves back to the great Gospel and realize that because Christ gave up everything for us we are freed to go and serve others for His sake!

According to dictionary.com, a fool is a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense.

The Bible is full of vivid pictures about fools.

The Scriptures generally define fools as people who don’t “catch on” or just continue to repeat the same dumb mistakes.

On the contrary, the wise man learns from his own mistakes and learns from the mistakes of others so they can avoid repeating them.

So let’s take a look at the book of Proverbs for a little guidance from some fools!

Proverbs 13:16

In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.

Flaunting our foolishness is so prevalent in America isn’t it?  How many people do you know that have purchased cars and homes they can’t afford to impress people they don’t even like? 

They flaunt  their possessions – they showcase their trinkets – and they glamorize their debt-laden treasures!

The prudent man is less concerned about flaunting their stuff and more concerned about acting wisely, with knowledge. 

Think – Millionaire Next Door!  What authors Thomas Stanley and William Danko figured out through their research was that the majority of those who live in upscale neighborhoods and had high incomes were not weathy  – they just lived high on the hog. 

The wealthy were actually the “regular Joe’s”, but no one knew because they didn’t flaunt their wealth. 

Proverbs 14:16

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

What do you think of when you hear the terms reckless and careless?  Someone out of control.  Maybe someone who sees the danger of their ways, but just doesn’t care enough to change.

Many of us see the danger of spending more than we make or living to keep up with the Joneses and we know that ultimately our finances will be destroyed – but we just keep racking up debt, living for ourselves and buying things that in five years will be in a garbage dump somewhere!

The wise man is cautious, sees the troubles that living frivolously causes and makes some changes! 

Proverbs 15:5

A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Man, this one is so convicting isn’t it?  How many of us have disregarded dad’s advice and gone and done our own thing?  I know I have. 

The wise man listens to those who are older and wiser, takes their advice, implements it and turns out better for it.  We too often ignore the instruction of the older, wiser sage thinking that we can figure it all out on our own. 

How many times have you said, “I wish I knew then what I know now”.  Well, don’t let that happen.  Listen to dad, search for someone older and wiser and hear what they have to say about finances and life!

Proverbs 26:11

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

I’ve always loved this Proverb!  Of course, when I was a kid I thought it was cool because vomit was in there, but now I can see the wisdom of it.  C’mon a guy just loves this.

I grew up having a dog in the house.  I loved that dog.  But you know what?  That dog would inevitably get sick, throw up and then go back and eat it. 

I know, I know – it’s disgusting, but it’s the truth. 

Now think about that for a moment…can you even imagine doing that?  NO WAY! 

And yet, we all do.  Almost daily, we repeat the same dumb mistakes, commit the same stupid missteps that lead us down a path of financial turmoil. 

It’s time to make some changes, it’s time to stop being that dog! 

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from foolish mistakes?

Don’t miss out on future posts!  Sign up for Redeeming Riches to be delivered straight to your inbox via email!

Confession time!

I’m not as generous as I should or could be!

Here’s another thing: I like to receive more than I like to give.

Why?  Well, because it’s inherent and I’m selfish.

I know what you’re thinking -

“Wait a minute – but you write about generosity and giving and doing good things with your money”

That’s true.  And I believe strongly in everything I write.

But, there’s a disconnect.  Part of me loves to hold on to my stuff, hoard it and use it for me.

It’s like I’m addicted to my own selfish desires.

I don’t want to be selfish, but I find myself slipping into selfish mode so easily.

How?  Well, it shows in various ways including marriage, other relationships, my money, my time etc.  And if we were all brutally honest – we’d probably come to the same conclusion. 

I always tell people that I never realized how selfish I was until I got married and had to start putting my wife’s needs above my own.  After that I never realized how much selfishness there still was in my heart until I had kids and I had to put their needs above my own.

In terms of money, I like to hold on to my money for comfort and security.  I like to put my trust in my savings accounts rather than God himself.  I like to view the money I have as mine rather than God’s.  I don’t like to think of myself as a steward, I like to think of myself as owner.

But here’s the thing – I want to be totally unselfish, completely generous and not care an ounce about my status or my wealth, but it’s hard not to – especially in this culture.

But – as one of my favorite songs says:

To give unselfishly, to love the least of these
Jesus I’m learning how to live with open hands
All of these treasures that I hold will never satisfy my soul
Jesus I lay it at your throne with open hands

How to overcome your self

So how do we overcome our selfish desires for money, fame, status, power or even the praise of men?

Well the first thing we need to realize is the fact that we are selfish and come to terms with that fact.

The second thing we need to realize is that it’s a process and there is a big learning curve.  It takes time. 

The third thing is to recognize how GREAT our heavenly treasure and that our earthly treasures pale in comparison. 

The treasure of Christ far outweighs our earthly goods.  But so often we have blinders on.  Ask God to help you see the greatness of Christ displayed in the gospel.

I’m learning, baby-step by baby-step – but the process is a good one.

Agree or disagree?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this is a struggle for you or if you think I’m off my rocker!

Below is a guest post from my Mom!

My mother is a Mentor Mom for a MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group at church and they asked her to give her insights on the question of how to keep spouses from growing apart.  I thought I’d post what she wrote.

I know what you’re thinking – “Wait a minute – this has nothing to do finances!” 

Maybe so, but it has everything to do with ROI!  Investing in your marriage is one of the greatest investments you could ever make! 

Remember, true wealth isn’t about your net worth and account balances – it’s about the quality of relationships, pursuing your passions and living out your purpose. 

Let’s give Mom a warm Redeeming Riches welcome!!

Hey Ma – take it away!

So, how do spouses keep from growing apart?

This is a great question with very difficult answers. 

But how you view the suggestions to this question will be a deciding factor to a happy and successful marriage and the difference in raising well-adjusted children. 

Intentionality and Commitment.

The first suggestion is to be intentional and committed.

Both spouses must view their marriage and their time together as a priority.

Remember that your spouse was your “best friend” when you were dating, so they should remain your “best friend” after you’re married.  This requires hard work and effort.

So, how can you be intentional? 

Schedule date nights and keep them! 

I know it’s not always easy to get a baby sitter when you want one, but try “networking” with other couples who will be available to sit for you and you in turn will be available for them. 

Side note from Jason: My wife and I have done this with other couples in a similar stage of life (2 young kids at home) and it’s great!  It’s nice to go out for dinner with Jen and not worry about who else we have to feed.

Keep the Right Perspective.

Perspective is easy to lose when you’re in the midst of chaotic schedules and crying children.

However, when you invest in each other, you are investing in a long term commitment. 

Remember that your children will not always be with you.  They grow up, move away and start their own lives. 

After years of marriage - and when the kids are gone from the nest – you don’t want to look at your spouse as a stranger. 

Through the years you need to create a closeness, a bonding and a togetherness between you both. 

Keeping the right perspective through forgiveness will be key. 

Forgiveness is a key that needs to be applied generously to each other while remembering that the Lord has forgiven us and extends His grace to each one of us.

Security 

Lastly, security is a huge key to keep your togetherness. 

The world is a crazy place to live in.  Make your home a “Shelter from Life’s Storms”. 

Say things to each other that are uplifting and encouraging.  Be there for one another when life throws the hard punches that tend to knock us off our feet. 

Your home should be a place where all members can find security and a safe place to be themselves, without the knit picking and constant criticism.

Remember the old saying “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t no one happy?”  Well, I would change that to say: 

When Mom and Dad are happy with each other, the whole family is the happiest. 

A loving relationship between Mom and Dad is the greatest security blanket that children could ever ask for!

Many of us are still processing the devastating news heard last week about the earthquake in Haiti and the hundreds of thousands of lives it has affected.

It’s hard for me to imagine going through something like that.

This past weekend, as I was getting the final details of our new house squared away, getting our stuff moved in and setting things up for us to settle in – I couldn’t help but think that these folks in Haiti have lost everything!

And here I am, sitting back in my comfy chair and trying to write about personal finance and realizing that at some point we’re all going to face the end of the road. 

And what’s going to matter most at that time?  Our houses, our cars, our emergency funds, our brokerage accounts and our Roth IRAs won’t matter one bit! 

What will matter is whether or not we layed up treasure for ourselves or if we were rich toward God!

How to Help

I found this on Moody Radio’s (a Christian radio station based out of Chicago) website. 

Pray!

Use the following prayer points as a guide when remembering the people of Haiti in prayer.

• For survivors to be found quickly and receive health care.
• For the availability and distribution of relief supplies including food, water and medical supplies.
• For the safety and health of the relief workers.
• For the needs of the injured, newly orphaned and homeless.
• For immediate needs including security, food and water, health care and shelter.
• For long term needs including rebuilding the communications, electrical and transportation infrastructure and rebuilding the government and economy.

Give!

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability maintanes a database of reputable charitable organizations that are providing aid during the Haiti crisis. For more information go to the ECFA Web site.

How About You?

What are some ways you are helping out in Haiti?

My wife and I are giving to our local church, which is partnering with World Relief to provide humanitarian aide.

Additionally, Bethel provides a couple more prayer points worth noting:

• World Relief as they work in Haiti to meet the needs during this devastating time.
• The people of Haiti to work together to meet the needs of their country at this time.
• Overseas Council and Kids Alive International, two ministries supported by Bethel, and their teams on the ground in Haiti. Pray also for the other organizations that are there or will be there soon; for unity and collective efforts for the good of the country of Haiti and the glory of Jesus Christ.
• Haitian-Christians and their influence during this time. That they would be able to share the love of Christ with those impacted by this earthquake.

I usually spend weekend posts looking at key money passages in the Bible.  I’ve found that I spend a lot of time in the New Testament.

This weekend we jump to the Old Testament for our money passage.

Ecclesiastes is a famous book that takes a look at life with pessimism, optimism, paradoxes and hammers home the point that we need God in an often confusing and frustrating world.

“This also is vanity” is a popular line from this book.  The author gives us a much needed re-evaluation on many of life’s greatest pursuits -

Including money!

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12:

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

The More You Love Money, The Less It Satisfies

Here’s the interesting thing about our wealth – the more we love it, pursue it, live for it and give up everything for it – the less it satisfies.

In my opinion the opposite is also true. 

The less we love it, the less we pursue it, the less we live for it and the less we give up everything for it the more content we become with what we have and where we are at.

Don’t you hate paradoxes?  Why can’t things be the way we think they should be. 

Maybe it’s God’s way of keeping us humble and keeping our focus on Him.

Money CAN Satisfy

Don’t get me wrong – money can make us happy.  I mean, who doesn’t love making money or spending it.

The point is that when we think money will bring ultimate satisfaction, we buy into a lie.  It’s vanity!

I really believe we start getting more satisfaction from our money when we view it as a tool to be used for others.

So, let’s be content with what we have and content with giving our money away. 

Believe me, I need to hear that myself as much as anyone.

ESV Study Notes for Reflection

The Preacher observes the destructive nature of greed and concludes that contentment is a key characteristic of the godly life in this world.