Having Great Wealth & Being Content
1 Timothy 6:6-8 "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."
Some of the "poorest" people I know, seem to be the richest!! They are content with the basics and always have some to spare. They may not drive a fancy car, live in a fancy house with tons of gadgets or "stuff". They normally have a "full house" either by choice or those they invite in. They live by the philosophy of 'what is mine is yours' and they mean it. They seem to have joy, unexplained and overflowing! During hard moments and during times where life seems to be going well. They are content with what they have and where they are. Perhaps, the only thing they are NOT content with: is someone else suffering or doing without. They then offer what they have to help others.
Interesting thing about this passage, it doesn't say: if we have enough toys, cars, friends, money, or even a house. It just addresses food and clothing. This made me think of a few homeless people that we have gotten to know near us. They don't have a 'home' to go to and live in, yet they always have enough to eat, and they always have clothes on. They actually have great knowledge too usually. Street wisdom as well as book knowledge. I remember being SUPER surprised when I actually started to talk on a regular basis with them: they came from a highly educated background. Then, due to some unwise choices caused by some very evil addictions, they lost all of their worldly possessions. Yet now, they are the happiest, most sincere people I talk to. Interesting how God works in our lives and in the lives of others, when we take a moment to slow down and "meet" others.
Today, look around you. Your life, where you live, the things you have.... could you be happy without all of them? Would you be grateful for just having another day to live? Would you try and share anything and everything you have? OR would you be complaining, whining, and do dishonest things just to get ahead? God does NOT want us to suffer, nor does He want us to be 'without' things that fill our needs. He actually WANTS us to be blessed in all that we say and do. According to these verses, the root of all of this is: to be content. Where we are, with what we have. Basically: make the best of what you have, where you are, and who you are with. Even if it is just being 'with yourself''. You need to be able to be alone with yourself, content. Having a lot or a little. Then, when you share yourself with others, they will be blessed and feel 'richer' because you are in their life. YOU, not your "stuff" - just you! Have a GREAT day!! Go through the ABC's and thank God for the blessings He has given you to be content with. It's a great way to start your day! ;-)
Some of the "poorest" people I know, seem to be the richest!! They are content with the basics and always have some to spare. They may not drive a fancy car, live in a fancy house with tons of gadgets or "stuff". They normally have a "full house" either by choice or those they invite in. They live by the philosophy of 'what is mine is yours' and they mean it. They seem to have joy, unexplained and overflowing! During hard moments and during times where life seems to be going well. They are content with what they have and where they are. Perhaps, the only thing they are NOT content with: is someone else suffering or doing without. They then offer what they have to help others.
Interesting thing about this passage, it doesn't say: if we have enough toys, cars, friends, money, or even a house. It just addresses food and clothing. This made me think of a few homeless people that we have gotten to know near us. They don't have a 'home' to go to and live in, yet they always have enough to eat, and they always have clothes on. They actually have great knowledge too usually. Street wisdom as well as book knowledge. I remember being SUPER surprised when I actually started to talk on a regular basis with them: they came from a highly educated background. Then, due to some unwise choices caused by some very evil addictions, they lost all of their worldly possessions. Yet now, they are the happiest, most sincere people I talk to. Interesting how God works in our lives and in the lives of others, when we take a moment to slow down and "meet" others.
Today, look around you. Your life, where you live, the things you have.... could you be happy without all of them? Would you be grateful for just having another day to live? Would you try and share anything and everything you have? OR would you be complaining, whining, and do dishonest things just to get ahead? God does NOT want us to suffer, nor does He want us to be 'without' things that fill our needs. He actually WANTS us to be blessed in all that we say and do. According to these verses, the root of all of this is: to be content. Where we are, with what we have. Basically: make the best of what you have, where you are, and who you are with. Even if it is just being 'with yourself''. You need to be able to be alone with yourself, content. Having a lot or a little. Then, when you share yourself with others, they will be blessed and feel 'richer' because you are in their life. YOU, not your "stuff" - just you! Have a GREAT day!! Go through the ABC's and thank God for the blessings He has given you to be content with. It's a great way to start your day! ;-)
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