BECAUSE of the high cost of living and the uncertainty about the future, my wife and I decided to move abroad to find better work. We intended to bring our children later. However, our new life was more difficult than we expected, and we couldn’t send for our children as we had planned. I was told by the brothers back home that our children were rarely seen at Christian meetings or in the field ministry.”—Samuel. a

Many of God’s servants live in areas where there are limited job opportunities or where there is widespread poverty. Because of these circumstances, some have made decisions that they thought would improve their situation without considering all the consequences. Some have left behind their spouse or minor children and have moved abroad in search of a better life. Others have invested in get-rich-quick schemes that left them worse off financially. If you face financial anxiety, how can you avoid making unwise decisions?

THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT

The apostle Paul learned what he called “the secret”—how to be content despite his circumstances. He wrote: “I know how to be low on provisions and how to have an abundance. In everything and in all circumstances I have learned the secret of both how to be full and how to hunger, both how to have an abundance and how to do without.”—Phil. 4:11, 12.

Note that Paul had to learn to be content. Let us consider four Bible principles that can help us to do the same.

Bible principle #1: “Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: ‘I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.’”—Heb. 13:5.

 How this principle helps. Love of money may drive you to compare your financial situation with that of others. Such love robs people of peace and contentment. If we fight against that love and learn to appreciate what we have, we will find contentment and peace of mind.

What you can do. Focus on what you have and on what you can realistically afford rather than on the lifestyle that others seem to enjoy. Remember, Jehovah promises to provide necessities for those who put spiritual matters first. (Matt. 6:24, 33) He makes no such guarantee to those who put the pursuit of money first in their life. Always appreciate Jehovah’s provision of the basic necessities. Paul wrote: “Having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.”—1 Tim. 6:8.