Word of the Week
The primary Hebrew word for "vanity," especially in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, is HEVEL (הֶבֶל), which literally means "breath," "vapor," or "mist," conveying ideas of fleetingness, futility, meaninglessness, or something ephemeral that vanishes quickly, like a puff of smoke or a wisp of vapor. This contrasts with the English sense of excessive pride, focusing more on the transient, pointless, or empty nature of worldly pursuits, as in the famous phrase "havel havalim, hakol havel" ("Vanity of vanities, all is vanity").
In our continuing effort to stamp out all types of illiteracy
Financial principles from THE MANUAL:
(re: lifestyle)*
"Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content." ~ 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NAS)
God will not use money to allow us to satisfy our every whim and desire. It is important that we begin to adjust to lifestyles compatible with Christian commitment. God does not want us to live in poverty but neither does he want us to live lavishly while His work needs money and other Christians go without food and clothing.
*From "Dollars & Sense: Bible Wisdom for the Faithful Steward" ~ Larry Burkett