Manny Pacquiao: 'Foundation of happiness is built on contentment, not possessions'

Manny Pacquiao enjoys a simple Filipino meal in a cramped room in a photo he posted on his Instagram account.(Instagram/Manny Pacquiao)

There is no question that Filipino boxing champ and congressman Manny Pacquiao has received so much blessings from God. His life story is truly one of rags to riches.

But if you would ask the Christian boxer about the true measure of his success, he would most likely answer that it can be found not in his possessions, but in his sense of contentment as a Christian.

On his Instagram account (@mannypacquiao), Pacquiao shared a happy photo featuring him and his son Israel as well as his wife Jinkee. He wrote, "The foundation of true happiness is built on contentment, not possessions. May God Bless everyone and have a blessed day."

He then added the Bible verse taken from Luke 12:15. It says, "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

This was not the first time that Pacquiao discussed his financial wellbeing on his social media account. Previously, he posted a photo of him eating a traditional Filipino dish with rice inside a cramped blue room. Pacquiao was wearing a plain white t-shirt with shorts, and was seated on a plastic chair.

The boxer wrote in Filipino, "I am used to hardships in life that is why with or without money I'm always like this, because my heart is always humble before God and before man. That's why (I) feel (for) the hearts of poor people who are in need. Thank you."

Before he became popular, Pacquiao used to box for only $1 to $2 per fight. He said he got into boxing because it was a good way to earn money. Even if he lost, he would still take home something, and he would often use his earnings to buy rice for his family.