“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.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8Amazing words spoken to Timothy by the Apostle Paul over 2000 years ago. I’m thinking, in what context does Timothy need to worry about materialism?! Today, yeah, we need to hear this advice! We’re surrounded by marketers who entice us to buy, buy, buy! But Timothy didn’t have anything, did he? I’m sure he wasn’t waiting for the next iPad 3 to go on sale. He didn’t covet his neighbors 55” High-definition television. He wasn’t planning a vacation to Disney World. He wasn’t facing foreclosure on his home. What money struggles could he possibly have? Why would Timothy need to be reminded that his world doesn’t revolve around money, his possessions, or materialism?
The fact is that regardless of your income. No matter how much you have. Despite how little you own. The Love of Money is still a temptation that can wreck great havoc in your life. Most of us, of course, would never say that we love money. We just love what money can buy! And to the frugal like myself, we love a good deal! If it’s a good deal, then it’s never wrong to buy, right? Our love of money and love of things are dangerous because that can lead to debt, distraction, and division. But the antidote to this temptation is called: Contentment.
Paul knew what it was like to live a prosperous life. He also know what it was like to live in poverty. He shares this with the Philippian brothers and sisters in Philippians 4:11-13. And his conclusion was that he LEARNED how to be content whatever the circumstances. Learning how to be content in any and every situation takes time and trust. Time is the forgotten, yet crucial element, we take for granted is our fast-paced lives. Contentment can't be delivered in 15 minutes or less! Trusting in God is also vital to our education. Trust in God to provide and provision for our needs. Paul even said he learned “the secret” to living a contented life. The secret is revealed in verse 13 where he says, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Remember the key: Knowing Jesus Christ and allowing Him to give you the strength to be at peace with what you already own. Once you learn to be content, you'll no longer crave all the stuff the world has to offer. There's freedom in that along with great gain!
