Memorise:
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
Read: 1 Timothy 6:6-10
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Message
The Church of Jesus Christ in the 21st century has been robbed of godliness due to lack of contentment. The desperation many so-called children of God exhibit in their search for money has deprived them of living a godly life. “The end justifies the means” has become the driving principle of many. Why would the Church allow herself be robbed of a virtue the Bible describes as great gain? The answer can be found in the parable of Jesus on the wheat and tares in Matthew 13:27-30: “An enemy hath done this.” The enemy of the cross is responsible for this development, and the Church must do something about it as a body and as individual.
Every child of God must personally endeavour not to be caught in the web of worldliness and insatiable appetite for material things like Esau, Gehazi and Judas Iscariot. We must learn to live modestly in this world. The Bible in Hebrews 12:16-17 admonishes us:
“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
Collectively, let us avoid what happened at Kibrothhattaavah among the congregation of the children of Israel, when their appetite for the delicacies of Egypt caused them to murmur against the Lord and His servants, Moses and Aaron (Numbers 11:4-6). We should always have his truth at the back of our minds:
“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
1 Timothy 6:7
The story in Numbers 11:4-34 is a rather unfortunate illustration of lack of contentment. Although the Lord had been feeding the children of Israel with the food of angels free of charge (Psalm 78:24-25), they were not content with it; they wanted barbecue chicken instead. At the end, this brought leanness to their soul (Psalm 106:14-15). Beloved, if there is anything you must seek and find today, it should be godliness with contentment. Hebrews 13:5 says:
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Prayer point:
Father, cause Your fear to rule my heart in contentment in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 14:1-15: 26 and LUKE 10:17-37
AUTHOR : pastor E.A. ADEBOYE
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