The Greater Wealth
True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
1 Timothy 6:6 NLT
Think of your favorite scene that brings you contentment. It brings peace, no more want. It is the thought that if I could just live here… life would be good! Is it a home with a beautiful view of a landscape of lush rolling green fields? Or a beachside view? Or maybe a home with a view of a mountain range?
Is there a perfect lifestyle that would bring you contentment?
Maybe it is a relationship?
In this day of excess, contentment is one of my biggest challenges.
I have so much, yet I can still want more!
I think it is safe to say many Christians struggle with this issue, too.
In Scripture, Paul explains…
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered away from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:6-10 NLT).
Paul writes about a very real struggle. Thankfully, Paul shares the solution!
And the solution is…
But you Timothy, are a man of God; so run from these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:11-12 NLT).
This is God’s solution simplified…
· First, identify the temptation to love money and the things money can buy (Identify evil).
· Second, run from these evil things (resist evil).
· Third, hold tightly to the eternal life that God has called you to (stand firm in the faith).
This may sound easy, but it is hard to do alone.
So, I have learned to ask Jesus, help me focus on things of heaven, not things of earth. This is taking hold of the eternal life to which I am called… to live with my spiritual life in mind.
Jesus said… what is impossible for me alone… is possible with God (Mark10:27 NLT).
With Him, you and I can find the greater wealth… godliness with contentment.
Father, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me… whispering “Identify and resist temptation for more… then… trust my way and pursue the godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Hold tight to the eternal life”. Lord, help me fight the good fight for the true faith. It is possible with Your help! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Stacy A. Davis
