-October 27, 2021-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
(1 Timothy 6:6-8).
One of the secrets to being happy in the Christian life is to be content with what we have. Godliness with contentment is great gain. The word contentment is defined as, “The state of happiness and satisfaction.” It is not bound to things, it is bound to Christ and the people in our lives. Being content is being satisfied with what we have and not craving more and more earthly things.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If the great Apostle Paul had to learn to be content, how about us?
Daily we are bombarded by advertisements. They tell us what we need to buy to make us happy, feel good, be healthier, stronger, more physically fit, safer, or whatever the case may be. No wonder as a society we are in such debt. As a country we owe trillions in debt, and as families and individuals, we owe so much that we bought that we couldn’t afford and now must pay for it over time. Our homes are filled with stuff, our garages are filled with stuff, and our storage sites are filled with stuff. Stuff weighs us down and makes us want more.
We cannot take it with us when we depart out of this out of this world at death or the Rapture. Paul wrote, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” We entered as babies with nothing, and when we leave as adults we cannot take a single thing with us into eternity. Having lost nearly everything, Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” If this is true, then why do we desire so many earthly things? As someone said, “The difference between the men and the boys is the price of their toys.”
When our priority is on the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be satisfied in Him, content with what we have, and thankful to Him for everything. Contentment is a state of mind and heart. Lately we have seen individuals and families lose everything in fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. People who lose earthly things are thankful to be alive and have to start over. I really believe that contentment, thanksgiving, and peace all go together in the Christian life.
When we move, we learn what we can get rid of a lot of what is in essential. At work I had to move many times I got rid of so much that it made it easier over time. The more in life we own, the more things own us in terms of time and effort to care for them. Since I have retired have found I can live on less than when I was working. I am so thankful God led me to retire while I am still young, at the time 62, now 64. I have more time to pray, read the Word, and serve the Lord. I find my days fly by like when I was working and even more.
May the Lord help us to remember that godliness with contentment is great gain. All we need is food and clothing to live so well in this world. The Lord doesn’t always give what we want, but provides for all our needs.
Have a blessed day of contentment in Jesus. We are so blessed. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 