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Good post, T-Bone. It's late, and I'm taking my cold off to bed shortly, but a few things occurred to me from what you said. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:4 (in fact, the whole of this psalm is a great read, esp :3-7) Question: what are the desires of your heart? Your real desires? Health, wealth, family, home security (a roof over your head)? Is this where the desires of your heart are? "Set your affections on things above..." 1Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Col 3:1-4) (the rest of this chapter is pretty good, too!) Seriously, people. Do we live as though we are "seated in the heavenlies"? Do we enjoy our life, our "hidden life"? Do we set our hearts on things above, and look, wait expectantly, for the return of the lord? Do we earnestly seek after the magnification of God, the creator of the universe, and his son Jesus Christ? Do we really endeavour, with all our heart, mind, strength and soul, to bring about the kingdom of heaven on earth, by living in a risen-with-Christ manner? By bringing about what we can of: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (You know, that "forbidden" prayer)? Do we do God's will? Do we tell our friends, neighbours, colleagues, about the richness (not the cash) that is available by believing God and His many promises? Or are we --- afraid to offend? I think we will find the true riches when we live like this, a bit more from Colossians: Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed [prosperity doctrine!!!], which is idolatry []. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.b 7When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. 8But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ... 12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. If we can manage to live like this (and with other desirable traits discussed in the Bible, but no time to go into here), we'll be excellent friends, parents, children, employees --- if we're excellent employees, then riches (a good pay packet) will come our way. Yeah, I know. I'm still doing my feeble best to do these things. I fail miserably sometimes, often; but sometimes I get it right. Anyway, I'd rather follow after a heart of compassion, being kind and gentle (patience is another thing!), and being forgiving etc than follow any fake "believing" as commanded by the strange gods of PFAL, orange books, and prosperity doctrines. Ps 81:8-9. Now for a hot shower, a warm bed - and perhaps a nip of whisky. For medicinal purposes, you understand.