This is a true story of a Persian farmer named Ali Hafed who was a wealthy man. One day Ali Hafed heard about stories of settlers in Africa who had made millions by discovering diamond mines so he sold his farm, left his family and went in search of those valuable diamonds.
Ali Hafed was unsuccessful and at the end of his life, in despair and penniless, he threw himself into a tidal wave in Barcelona and drowned.
Meanwhile, the man who had purchased Ali Hafed's farm, led his camel into the garden to find water to drink at the shallow brook that criss-crossed his land. He found a large and unusual black stone in the stream – a diamond of enormous value. Diamonds were subsequently found all over that farm and it went on to become one of the world's richest diamond mines of all time.
The message from this story that I hope to impart to you today is about satisfaction with what you already have. Often we search for something elusive and we lose our contentment. The prodigal son is a case on point of someone who had wealth and position but he lost his contentment in his search to find the false happiness that the world offers. The advertising industry knows our insecurities and plays on these so that we yearn for something more.
Don’t fret and struggle for elusive joy. Paul reminds us: “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances” (Phil. 4:11 AMP). Jesus told us to always be present; to not allow ourselves to get anxious about things that may never happen (Matt. 6:34).
And the payoff if we let go of our insecurities and trust in God to provide us all things that we need? Here’s Paul’s answer: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:6-11 NIV).
Your blessings are right where you are at the moment. Love God. Love that you are His beloved child. Love the hope you have in Him.