2
Corinthians 8:9
Though He was rich, yet
for your sakes He became poor, that you . . . might become rich.
Bible
Reading for a Year
[bible]prove3[/bible]; [bible]0john13[/bible]; [bible]ichro18-19[/bible]
Jonathan Clements, Wall
Street Journal columnist offered his readers “Nine Tips for Investing in
Happiness.” Interestingly, one of his suggestions was precisely the same as
that given in the favorite old hymn by Johnson C. Oatman, “Count Your Many
Blessings.”
Clements urges us not to
brood over the riches of our neighbors but to focus on the many blessings we
actually do possess. That’s wise counsel, provided that we realize our
spiritual wealth in Jesus is immeasurably more valuable than any material
possessions.
God didn’t give us the
Bible as a guidebook for happiness. Yet it tells us how we can be eternally
joyful and how we can experience joy on our way to that eternal happiness. So
it’s enlightening to compare biblical truth with common-sense advice.
In 1 Tim 6:6 Paul wrote
to Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” The apostle wanted his
protégé to understand that being grateful for the basics of life would help
keep him from the trap of covetousness.
So let’s focus on the
wonders of God’s grace, training ourselves to make a spirit of gratitude
pervade our lives. That’s the way to experience joy today and to be forever
joyful. –Vernon C. Grounds
Count
your many blessings and you’ll soon lose count.