Read 1 Tim 6:3–21
1Ti 6:6-12 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, (7) for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (8) But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (9) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (11) But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (12) Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Perhaps we Christians could pay more attention to this. It is hard because of the consumer culture in which we live. We had marketing experts whose sole job is to make you think you need stuff you don’t need so their bosses can make money off of selling you stuff. Yet we are called to godliness with contentment. Godliness, holdin the Christian faith in all purity. Contentment is being satisfied with what you have. Paul gives us a pretty narrow view of what we should be content with: Food and Clothing. Think about it as you stand frustrated in front of the refrigerator or pantry full of food yet you think you have nothing to eat. Or we’re standing in a walk in closet full of clothes yet we think we have nothing to wear.
We see what Paul warns about concerning the love of money. Every day we watch TV, pick up the newspaper or check the headlines on the internet. Examples of how running after riches have brought people to ruins are plastered everywhere, but no one pays attention. But you don’t have to want to be super rich to have a love of money. If money is what you think will bring you every good, you have the love of money. Wealth is your god. Watch out lest you lose your faith.
Instead of pursuing wealth, Paul encourages us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness. It is for these things Jesus died for you on the cross. It is for these things you were brought from death to life and from darkness to light. With the faith and grace given us we are to fight against the desires of the flesh and the world which does not trust the Living God but wealth.
Continue to live in the eternal life and hold onto it faithfully. We confessed our faith before men. We are now to live out this confession in our lives demonstrating the love Christ has shown us.
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace needed that we may live in godliness with contentment with all the gifts you have bestowed on us and to live out our faith in devotion to you and service to our neighbor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.