But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. {erred: or, been seduced}
– 1Timothy 6:6-10

This is the verse of scripture that many complacent people hide under when they want to give excuses for their self-induced poverty and lack of progress. Contentment, however, is not the same as containment.

Here, Paul the apostle was not justifying a life of poverty and limitation. He was simply warning us about making money or worldly wealth a sole pursuit. I have often said in this column that the pursuit of wealth for wealth’s sake is an immediate sign-on for frustration and eventual depression.

When you pursue money, it has a way of constantly eluding you. But when you pursue and live a decided life of commitment to purpose, money actually pursues you. Your purpose is your platform for creating and adding value to creation. Setting your affection on money, something that was, ab initio, designed to be a tool to facilitate your purpose fulfillment is what Paul identifies as the real danger.

It is instructive to note that if you read further, he itemises what a man should pursue if he wants to have a fulfilling life.

Among others, he talks about righteousness and godliness. The righteousness spoken of here is not just about doing things right, but about doing the right things. It is in godliness that you discover purpose. This is because the purpose of anything in creation is traceable to its source. A connection with God is not another religion as many have made it, but a connection to the real you and the reason why you were made.

It is in your resolute pursuit of this discovery that your success lies. To cripple your potential and destiny because of a lack of understanding is not only suicidal, it is a generational tragedy because you rob so many people of the benefits your life was designed to confer on them. I conclude with this story.

A young man was fishing. Each time he threw the net, he hauled in a substantial catch. On each occasion, he would measure each fish by the length of a stick he was holding. Whichever was not longer than the stick, he threw into a basket by his side. Anyone that was longer, he would throw back into the river. This happened for a long time. One day, he was following this routine when a man who had watched him for some time walked up to him and asked:

‘Sorry, I don’t mean to interfere, but I am curious. I have watched you measure every fish you caught with that stick in your hand and throw back every big fish into the river. Is there any particular reason, why?’

‘Oh that?’ he replied, ‘The diameter of my cooking pot is the length of the stick. So, whenever I catch a fish that cannot fit the pot, I throw it back.’
‘But then, isn’t it possible for you to sell the ones you do not need and make money out of it, perhaps to enable you buy a bigger pot?’
The young man replied; ‘Actually, I never thought of it!’

What is the size of your own cooking pot? Is your horizon limited by your present realities? Expand it.

Possibilities around you are limitless. Pursuing and having resources while ignorant of purpose is the beginning of frustration. While you celebrate a level of achievement, remember there are still new territories to conquer. Life is constantly evolving. Yesterday’s loser may be today’s champion.

However, there is no possibility of a change of result until there is first a change of routine!

Set higher standards for yourself. Challenge yourself with bigger dreams. The world doesn’t generally deliver to you beyond your vision.

Step out beyond familiar terrain and start enlarging your capacity to help and to bless others by constantly being a person of value in the pursuit of your purpose. If you truly want to increase the size of your fish, you will have to change the length of your stick. The Yorubas would say that if your cap fits, wear it. I differ. As far as I am concerned, if your cap fits, don’t wear it. The cap that fits your head puts limitations on the capacity of your head to grow!

May this new week bring your way possibilities longer and bigger than the length of your stick.

Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!