The Better Life

How do you define "A Better Life?"

A life without worries, a life with financial prosperity, a life that is smooth flowing, a life lived out avoiding all possible conflicts or things that are difficult?

I always have this thought that a better life is one that is mainly about financial abundance. I always think that only by having lots of money is the key to happiness. I am also okay to work in a job that I might not really like but it gives me the comfort of getting by every day, wife and kids have no problems with spending, food on the table is a non-issue and probably once a year, we head for a holiday.

However, if I am to be totally honest, there is a sense of loss inside.

Well, then on the flip side, does it mean that I need to be totally poor to enjoy the better life? Without money, how can I get food on the table for my family. Doesn't that then result in stress and discontentment in the family. After all, it is biblical that one of the calling of men is to bring home the dough. What about all the luxuries in life? Does in mean that I have to forsake them all for the sake of the better life..a life without distraction so that I can serve God better and money does not become a key distraction in my life?

To be frank, I have experienced both ends of the spectrum in financial capability. There was a time where money was not an issue and then there was a time when everyday you are wondering if there is money to put food on the table. Interestingly, there is a greater sense of joy within the family when we were in times of need. 2 words are key when going through times of need:

1. Dependence - totally honest with God and family about current situation and not giving up on the Hope which God has called you to.
2. Attitude - it is interesting that with the right attitude we seemed to be much happier when we were in need as a family.

Well, I am not advocating that we should all live a life of poverty to be happy. There are seasons in life where we need to go through moulding to gain character, and that character is required for us to accomplish something higher and better. It is like a stretching and growing of character. The bible did say in Matthew 6:33 "Seek Him first and ALL things shall be added unto you".

In times of lack or trouble, trust God and out of learning to trust God to bring you into the promised land and joy will still result whether in want or in plenty.

To end off, 2 useful quotes from Purpose Driven Life:

1. Meaning is far more important than money.
2. "A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches" -- by richest man in the world at time of writing book.