1Timothy 6: 6 – 8 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
Dear God,
When I think of You, I am always grateful for Your love and mercy, and that they are new every day, and everlasting. It fills me with gratitude, to know that you go with me to every area, and listen to and answer my prayers for safe keeping, as well as guide me toward salvation and eternal life.
I appreciate each day the portion of scriptures that I read and contemplate. Recently that has been 1Timothy 6: 6 – 8 (as quoted at the beginning), please teach me Your lessons, and through the Holy Spirit, give me a willing heart to apply the lessons in my own life. Paul gives many experiences about people in general and about his church congregations, in his writings, which are worthwhile for every generation thereafter. He had seen people who endeavoured to get rich from being ‘godly’, which did not bring them closer to You, but did cause unrest for themselves and others. Paul however experienced many blessings because he followed You with his whole heart. He learned how to be content with his lot in life, and for the basic amount of food and clothing he received. This meant that he was not side tracked away from Jesus and doing His will, unlike so many people, and he did not have a need to strive and strive, in an attempt to be wealthy and wealthier.
For some people God knows they can be trusted with great wealth, and so He gives it to them, or allows for their accumulation of wealth. These people are content, and not caught up with the getting of wealth. They use their God given means to bless others as well as themselves.
I am grateful for all my means and blessings as a retired person, and I am glad I have received sufficient for my needs and not necessarily for my wants.
Please impress me with how I should share my means, this Christmas season, so others can also be blessed. I also pray for wisdom, so that I do not get caught up in the commercialism, portrayed all around me, related to the birth of your Son, and instead keep ever in my mind, that we celebrate the inherent love of Jesus, who came as a babe, grew up and when around 30 years, His ministry of love and miracles started and 3 years later He was crucified, so that we could have salvation. These gifts from Jesus are worth more than what anyone can buy with money and we can choose to love and serve Jesus for nothing.
Amen