Continuing Thought for the Week [5.27.21]
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 four> 4. Don’t compare. Comparing is a sure way to rob you of your joy and it is a sure way for your peace to be taken. I like to say this: Don’t dare compare! If you are ever going to have a sense of contentment- you can’t compare who you are or what you have with who someone else is or with what someone else has. Have you ever compared yourself to someone else? Me too. We all have a tendency to compare. We compare everything from how well we do something, to how well we look or don’t look. We also compare what we do have and what we don’t have. The problem is, comparing magnifies insecurities and promotes criticism. It also steals your peace and it leaves you feeling discontented. I want you to know that you are wonderfully made. You are lacking nothing and everything that you have is from God. What you possess is unique. You are unique. I like to say it this way: your uniqueness is God’s expression. God has a plan and you have a purpose. Don’t compare yourself to anything or anyone. Be who you are where you are. When you learn to be grateful for who you are and for what you have- comparison will begin to dissipate and contentment will become a new reality for you. Don’t compare! Be content. 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.
Key #4: Don’t dare compare!
