Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” vss. 6-8
1 Timothy 6:6-12
The wisdom in these few short verses is overwhelming. Obviously, accumulation was an issue even for first century followers of Jesus, and some seem to have been infected by the notion that more is better. Two thousand years later we know exactly what’s being talked about. Our whole economy rests on consumer spending, and when it lags behind, economists are quick to tell us that disaster is on the way. From childhood we’re programmed to want the latest and the greatest, and that desire never seems to fade. Of course there’s much good that can come from technological advancements, and we probably all appreciate the good things that have come into our possession. The problem is that all of those neat and fancy things we accumulate along the way can’t give us the contentment that comes with simplicity. We probably do need a bit more than food and clothing, and we certainly appreciate safe and secure housing, but when we have a solid God-connection, life can be pretty good when all we have is the basics. It’s at that point we can work on polishing our relationships and can begin to relish the joy that comes from our brothers and sisters in Christ. What’s really sad is that it takes so long to figure this out!
Thought for the Day: What do I need for contentment?
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