All this talk about contentment may leave you (and me for that matter) wondering if it is really worth it. Maybe I can just avoid the consequences(whatever they may be) by trying to put on a good face when things get tough and it will get better. Unfortunately if we don’t seek to be satisfied with what God has given us it will be painful for us.
I Timothy 6:6-10
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang (pain)
I find it interesting that in the passage above that Paul defines the list with which we should be content as food and clothing. That is pretty good distance from my list of things with which I need to be content but it is great insight and we even see many trying to engage with a more minimilist attitude. But those who want more (desire to get rich) will deal with all kinds of issues: they will
- fall into temptation
- fall into a snare
- fall into many foolish and harmful desires
- plunge into ruin and destruction.
- their love of money will expose them to all sorts of evil
- by longing for it (more than what God has for them)they may wander away from the faith, and pierce themselves with many a pang (pain
Sounds exciting huh? We need to learn to be happy or satisfied with what God has given us. Or we will face pain.
timhowington.com 