Continuing Thought for the Week [5.26.21]
I Timothy 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Main Thought for the Week:
First of all, let me start off by saying that I don’t feel that it is wrong to have money or material things. I also don’t feel that money is evil in and of itself either. I believe that Paul is telling Timothy that the quest of anything without God being the center source of fulfillment and joy, can be a trap. I also believe that He is saying, allow God to be the source of all that you have or desire to have. Take note that in verse thirteen of this same chapter Paul says this to Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” In other words, pursue the things of God, those things that produce true fulfillment. Food will run out. Clothes will wear out. Money will will cease to be available at times. Houses will eventually fall down and cars will rust or fall apart after a period of time. Most things don’t last forever and being content with things, especially things that are temporal and fleeting doesn’t last forever either. Contentment is a choice and this week I want to talk to you about 5 ways that you can learn to be content.
5 Ways to Learn to be Content:
- Realize that contentment doesn’t come naturally for most.
- Understand that there is a difference in being content and in being satisfied.
- Be thankful for what you have.
- Don’t compare.
- Know that contentment is God’s plan for you.
Now let’s look at number three> 3. Be thankful for what you have. Ron Carpenter Jr. says that gratitude is always the gateway for more. In other words: are you thankful for what you have? Because if you are, it will be an indicator that you will be thankful for more as well. Can you relate? Isn’t it more difficult to do something for someone who is not thankful for what you’ve already done for them or that is not thankful for what you have given them. Gratefulness, that is being thankful, many times is a matter of perspective. For example, everyone of us could probably think of something that we would desire to have. However, just because you have the desire for something new or different, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be thankful for what you already have. Be thankful for what you have, even if it is not enough or, even if it is not what you truly desire to have. Be thankful and don’t take anyone or anything for granted. Be thankful and realize that everything that you have is from God. And, remember, God already know what you need, but, He may just be waiting to see if you are thankful for what you already have. If you are ever going to be content, you will have to begin by being thankful for what you already have! See you tomorrow!
Key #1: Focus on what you do have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have!
Key #2: If you’re never satisfied with what you have, you won’t be satisfied with what you get.
Key #3: God knows what you need, but He wants to know if you are thankful for what you have.
