I remember growing up we always use to sing a song at church about the foolish man who built his house on the sand and the wise man who built his house on the rock. In the song, the foolish man's house “went splat” and the wise man's house “stood firm”. As far as your finances are concerned the rock that you should be building on is contentment. Too many people have this idea that if they could just have __________ (fill in the blank – more money, better job, new car, bigger house, etc.) then they would be happy. This just is not true!

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul clues us in on how he learned to be content:

11-- I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12-- I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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. 13-- I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

For Paul, happiness had nothing to do with what he had or didn't have. His contentment was a direct result of his reliance on God.

If you are approaching your finances with the idea that once you get your money in order you'll finally be happy, you are sorely mistaken. Don't get me wrong, having your finances in order can alleviate stress in your life and make some things easier to deal with, but it can't bring about contentment. That only happens when you trade your worldly mindset for an eternal one, and reset your focus on Jesus. When the foundation of your finances is contentment attained by fully relying on God, you'll be well on your way managing money His way!