Content

⁷

I Timothy 6:6-10

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. ⁸⁹¹⁰

"There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment."

I don't think truer words could be spoken.

All of us would probably agree that there just couldn't be a better goal in life than "godliness combined with contentment."

Contentment equals peace. Godliness equals health and justice and love, and so many good things.

First, let's acknowledge that it's a journey that lasts a lifetime. Second, let's stop beating ourselves up for whatever progress we feel we haven't made.

Let's think instead about what it takes to follow Jesus in that kind of mature, "godly," and "contented" way.

The "love of money is the root of all kinds of evil," because it points toward the Big Lie that we all sometimes buy into.

The world would teach us that we better take care of ourselves, at all costs. We love money because it represents safety, security, independence, prosperity, power and comfort.

It's powerful because it is tangible, immediate and gratifying. But that power could make us lay down ethics and morality to obtain it. "The root of all kinds of evil."

Godliness and contentment don't come from anything the world can offer us. Wealth is not the path to growth. Discipleship is about dependence, not independence. The goal of our walk with Jesus is that one day we too could say, "we are grateful for the food clothing of this day...we are content."

A radical, powerful, counter-cultural message. It's the message of Jesus.

Prayer: Father God, teach us to be truly content in you. Save us from the love of money, which is the root of all kinds of evil.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: I Timothy 6:11-19