True Wealth and the Heart
For those of us who manage wealth for a living, it's sometimes necessary to get our heads out of the numbers and check our hearts -- and our Bibles -- to remind ourselves what true wealth really is and how we can get it.
 "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
While it can be comforting to see stocks grow and retirement funds increase, this verse tells us that true gain is not found in dollars and cents. Real wealth is found in hearts that are both God-focused and satisfied.
But anyone who has ever lived can tell you that satisfaction, or contentment, is no easy feat and it certainly doesn't happen in an instant. Flip back a few pages in the New Testament and you'll see that just like our physical wealth, contentment is something that takes time and effort to grow. The apostle Paul states that contentment is something he learned over time and in Philippians 4:11 he summarizes the steps we can take to get there.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Trust God. Holocaust survivor and Christian author Corrie Ten Boom got it right when she said that "worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." Trust -- the antithesis of anxious thinking -- is a daily choice that starts today.
Pray about everything. Prayer is a demonstration of our trust in God, putting feet to our faith. When we pray, we acknowledge God's sovereignty in our lives, hearts and finances. All of our thoughts, needs and even wants can be taken to Him in prayer. He's not only able, He's willing to answer.
We find that clients who have faith about their finances make better decisions than those with a fear-based attitude.
Cultivate gratitude. Thanksgiving is more than a holiday, it's an attitude that we develop when we choose to think of all God has blessed us with now rather than what we don't have yet. A gratitude journal is an excellent place to start changing our perspective. Start writing down your blessings and you may be surprised with a more peaceful, contented heart.
If these concepts sound foreign to you, then give us a call so we can have a conversation about it. Our intent is to expose you to eternal truths, not to impose our beliefs on anyone. The Gospel is a free gift from God, available to everyone.
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