NEWS & UPDATES

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.” That thought agrees with the biblical principle found in 1 Timothy 6:6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Contentment is one of the keys to financial freedom. Discontentment keeps moving the finish line. Regardless of how much we earn or accumulate, it tells us we need just a little more before we can be satisfied.

Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Scripture does not condemn preparation. Proverbs points us to the ant as an example of diligence, and Jesus Himself spoke of counting the cost. But James 4 warns us not to presume upon tomorrow or speak as though the future is ours to control. Our responsibility is to plan wisely and then work the plan faithfully.

When it comes to money, Jesus poses a poignant question in His Sermon on the Mount. He asks what we truly treasure? Then he adds, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). The direction of our money often reveals the condition of our heart more clearly than our words ever could.

Here is a question I grapple with in no small way: How much money is enough? I have found that few of us have ever clearly defined this number. If we have, it often becomes a moving target that fuels anxiety, drives decisions, and keeps us chasing more without ever finding rest.

Most people think financial planning begins with numbers: income, expenses, investments, retirement age, and tax strategy. Those things matter. But they are not the starting point. For a follower of Christ, the better question is not simply, “Will I have enough?” The better question is, “Am I being faithful with what God has entrusted to me?”

I used to enjoy listening to a local sports radio station in the Little Rock area. Lately, however, I can barely get through a segment without hearing a betting line, odds update, or gambling sponsor. It's everywhere — and it's not accidental. Sports betting is now a $160 billion industry, and it's buying influence fast.