Learning to Be Content When You Don't Have a Lot of Money

In American society, we have a tendency to hoard materialistic objects, myself included. On our time off, we're either cleaning the things, organizing or storing the things we've bought, or we're out on the prowl for more things. Sometimes we even buy things just because they are so cheap. I am guilty of this. I really don't need another article of clothing, but I've found myself at Kohl's department store on more than one occasion with a pile of clothes at the register just because I could get everything in the bag for under $10 bucks!

This drive to acquire things really isn't necessary though. We have so much our houses are stuff to the rafters so during hard economic times like we're facing right now, when we have very little money, it shouldn't matter. We can look within our own homes for entertainment and the true blessings in our lives. And even if you are facing hard times and have just enough money to pay the bills, remember you can still be content.

How, you ask? It's easy. Just realize that many of the things that make us happy aren't the things you buy in the mall. They are the bigger things that God has given us, many of which are free.

To be content:
Enjoy time with your family. This may sound like a cliche, but it's so important. The people in your life right now won't always be there. Your kids are going to grow up and have a family of their own some day and many of the elders in your life (and even those not so old) will pass on and go to be with our Lord. That's why you have to make the most of every moment and enjoy them to the fullest. You can do free things like play games, make crafts or play sports together using things you already own, walk on the beach or in the park or whatever seems the most fun to you.

Exercise. Excerise can be free if you utilize things around you. Go out for a walk, do sit ups or push ups or use equipment you've already purchased. Not only will you be productive with your time, you'll energize your body, potentially lose weight, improve your mood, and reduce stress. What a better way to be content.

Read the Bible. There are many reasons this will make you feel content. First of all, it will help you realize that God is on your side and ready and willing to love and help you when you need him most. Second, you'll discover that the people living during Biblical times went through trials and tribulations, possibly a lot worse than yours. Plus, you'll learn that if you have a relationship with God, you can have an existence in Heaven where there is peace, after your done dealing with the suffering in this world.

Attend church and church events. Listening to the Preacher/Pastor/Priest and studying the Bible during these events will further help to remind you of what is important in your life, leading to more peace and less desire to acquire things.

Make use of what you already have. As I mentioned before, we have so many things that even those who aren't so well off can still be considered "rich" compared to those in other countries. Instead of going out and spending more money on some new form of entertainment, why not see what you have around the house that you've yet to fully enjoy? For example, I have many DVD's that I haven't watched yet. Instead of getting yet another movie, I could go downstairs, put in a DVD and watch the Taxi reruns I got for Christmas about three years ago. I swear I could entertain myself for a year just "playing" with the things I haven't gotten to yet. I am sure many of you could do the same.