Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Many people worry about money, and for good reason. We need money for a lot of things. Money keeps a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our tables. Because money is necessary for so many things in our modern lives, money has come to represent abstract values, too. For many people, money is a stand-in for security. Your confidence for the future might be tied to the amount of money in your bank account. This leads to anxiety, no matter how much money you have. Contentment is the opposite of anxiety. Wanting things makes us anxious about money, but recognizing contentment brings peace.

Today’s devotional aims to reduce your anxiety about money by divorcing your sense of security from a dollar sign. Today’s devotional will give you concrete steps from the Bible that can help you move away from anxiety and towards peace.

To move away from anxiety about money, it helps to reflect on what money is and what money is not. Money is a gift from God, a blessing that he freely gives to his people. But money is not God. When we attribute good things in our lives to money and not to God, we are robbing God of the credit he deserves.

We often think of money as a fast-track to satisfaction. Yet Ecclesiastes 5:10 points out that the lover of money will never be satisfied. There is never an amount of money that is enough. Money promises security, but it never completely delivers.

If money can’t bring us real satisfaction, then what can? The solution is found in Hebrews 13:5-6, in the advice to “be content with what you have.” Contentment doesn’t come naturally. For many people contentment is a skill we need to cultivate.

One way to cultivate contentment is to be aware of contentment when you experience it. Do you enjoy a walk in the sunshine, or a chat with a friend, or your soft bed at night? When you notice a moment of contentment point it out to yourself, by repeating either silently or aloud, “I am content right now.” You can even keep a little diary where you note down every time you feel content.

Contentment is the opposite of anxiety. Wanting things makes us anxious about money, but recognizing contentment brings peace.

Jesus tries to lead his disciples away from worrying about money in Matthew 6 when he explains what God is like. God takes care of all the animals and the plants on earth, none of whom work for a paycheck. Jesus says we should trust God to do the same for us. Security doesn’t come from money, it comes from God.

When you believe God is looking out for you, your anxiety about money decreases. One way Christians throughout history have reminded themselves of God’s provision is by saying prayers of thanksgiving before meals. Try this: before you eat, pause and say either silently or aloud, “Thank you God for giving me this food.” As you remind yourself that God is taking care of you now, you will start to believe that he will provide for you in the future.

Money does not create contentment, confidence in God does. If we notice whatever God has given us today, it strengthens our faith that God will also provide for our future.