07/06/20 Contentment

READING: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, 1 Timothy 6

I confess that I like to have nice stuff. I think (I hope) I’m grateful for what God has given us, and I try to take good care of it. At the same time, though, I recognize that I sometimes put too much emphasis on stuff. If I don’t guard my heart, I can get enamored with getting more things—often things that I don’t really need. That’s why today’s reading in 1 Timothy 6 hits home.

Paul reminds his readers that godliness matters first, and godly contentment ought to mark believers. Even if God gives us nothing more than food and clothing, we ought to be content. After all, we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out. The problem we face is that the world encourages great gain, evaluates our success by our stuff, and often determines our life’s value on the basis of what we’ve gained in life. We then too often buy into these standards even when we speak against them. In fact, I’m struck by the fact that we condemn churches for basing their value on budgets and buildings while we, too, often live for dollars and possessions.

Learning to be content means we truly find our joy in a relationship with Jesus, regardless of what we have or don’t have. The idolatry of things can bring only grief ultimately, but life with Christ brings ultimate peace and joy.

PRAYER: “God, forgive me when I live for possessions rather than for You.”   

TOMORROW’S READING: Ecclesiastes 1-3, Psalm 45, 2 Timothy 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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