I Timothy 6:6-9
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
This week we were looking for scriptural references to "competition." It seems there were two major themes that rose up- first was that we need only compete against ourselves, and the second was more of an implied connection between competition and its frequent goal: money. I was hoping to run across some references to that type of competition we see so often between people, in conversation. The constant need to know more, to be right, to make a better decision than the next guy, to get a better deal, to do more thorough research, to pick the better contractor, and the list goes on and on. Is it just me, or do others experience this as well? Some conversations become exhausting and painful so quickly because of this type of competition. I wish I could say I don't ever take the offensive or actively compete. But I am sure I do. I didn't see a scriptural reference to this, but I am pretty certain God would suggest I walk away and not engage in the one-upmanship.
Holy Lord, help me to keep my emotions in check. Hear my prayers and my plea for peace and strength. Amen
Becky, transforming
1 Timothy 6:6-9
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
This message is simple: Money itself is not evil. It is the love of money, the need to acquire more and more of it, that is evil. If you have enough money to support yourself and your family, that is fine. It is the quest for more than you need that is evil. Going beyond what…
I Timothy 6:6-9
You can learn a lot about people if you ask if they would rather have godliness with contentment or wealth and comfort. I just read an article about a new book called The Great Dechurching. Forty million American adults used to attend church but no longer do so. This has occurred over a period of just 25 years. Up to 100,000 congregations of various denominations will close their doors for good in 2024. Our society has apparently made a choice that only a new Great Awakening can hope to reverse. Many who have left claim they are “spiritual but not religious,” but this is probably due to a faulty definition of both terms that assuages a nagging…
1 Timothy 6:6-9
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 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.
The first thing that came to my mind, reading this scripture was when my young daughter told me she was going to run away. I told her ok, but she came into this world naked, so she had to leave naked 😉 Although each of us is tempted in some way, those who desire wealt…
1 Timothy 6:6-9
As I read this, I thought of two modern “proverbs,” KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’ and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. People, instead of celebrating what they do have, always see others with more and feel the need to compete by buying more. Then I think of the billionaires always needing to make more money. What they have is never enough. They always want to move up a notch on the Forbes 500 list of the top net worth people. How foolish! Some, of course, do much good with their wealth, but others simply hoard it or only use it to benefit themselves and their beliefs.
Prayer: Gracious God, Help me stay content with what …