GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT
Memorise: But godliness with contentment is a great gain. 1st
Timothy 6:6
Read: 1st Timothy 6:6-11, 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And
having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But
they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For
the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they
have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But
thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Bible in one year: Nehemiah 1-3, Ecclesiastes 7:19-29
MESSAGE
The moment a person makes up his
mind to focus his passion and life on seeking after the things of God, he
becomes very content with life. There are lots of people who are not enjoying
their lives because they are being consumed with the mundane things of this
world. As a child of God, your focus and attention should centre on the Word of
God which will help you live life with a sense of fulfilment. It is not the
abundance of what you have that determines the joy that you get in life. I have
been privileged to get close to many wealthy and influential people, and I have
concluded that the best kind of life is a life of simplicity. There are people,
who focus on gaining worldly possessions, but those who know the essence of
life will focus on things of the spirit and they will not allow the lust of
this world to consume their hearts.
“I know both how to be abased and I know how to
abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Philippians 4:12
Paul had learnt how to content in
poverty and in wealth. This should also be the life of every child of God,
because it is only in Christ that one understands the purpose of all things.
Paul learnt how to be poor without complaining about his circumstances. He knew
how to go about his life in situations of want knowing that God was in charge
of his life. It is no news that the greatest problem of man is greed; it is
also the major cause of underdevelopment in many nations, as those that have
been entrusted with the resources are continually greedily trying to acquire
more money. As believers, we must know how to possess money without money
possessing us. We should not follow the examples of those who have allowed
money to become an idol in their lives. Any time we are in need, we should call
on God; it is only Jesus Christ who gives strength to overcome the despair and
discouragement of such moments, and any time we are in wealth, we need Christ
to help us exercise full control over the wealth. There is nothing we go
through that we don’t have the power to endure because our strength is of the
Lord. We must not become obsessed with the gains of this world at the expense
of our souls, especially since it not possession that brings happiness. Christ
is the source of happiness; therefore, it is the foundation we have in Him that
determines the extent of our contentment in life. We must not allow the process
of getting rich deny us the ultimate satisfaction and joy in Christ Jesus. We
should not become spiritually bankrupt because we are on a quest to get rich.
We should not stray away from the faith because we want money. God is more than
able to supply all our needs as we put our trust in Him and follow His
instructions for our lives.
Prayer Point
Father, please help me to find rest in You.
Open
Heavens Daily, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
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