Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
“Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth.” ~ 1 Timothy 6:6
“Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth” – this statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor GOD and center our desires on HIM – “…And HE will give you all you need from day to day if you live for HIM and make the Kingdom of GOD your primary concern.” – Mathew 6:33 – “make the Kingdom of GOD your primary concern” – means to put GOD first in our life, fill our thoughts with HIS dreams, take HIS character for our pattern, and serve and obey HIM in everything; – and we should be content with what GOD is doing in our life. – 11“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” – Philippians 4:11-13 – Paul knew how to be content whether he had plenty or he was in need. The secret was drawing on Christ’s power for strength. We should all learn to rely on GOD’s promises and Christ’s power to help us be content.
Paul had his priorities straight and was grateful for everything GOD had given him. Paul had detached himself from the nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal. Often our desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in our lives. Ask yourself what it is you are drawn to when you feel empty inside. The answer lies in your perspective, your priorities, and your source of power. The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to do it. He does not grant us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to His interests. As we contend for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures, and trials – but – as they come we can ask Christ to strengthen us. We can be sure that He will supply all our needs, but in a way that He knows is best for us.
Father GOD, we want to honor YOU by centering our desires on YOU. We know that this means putting YOU first in our life, filling our thoughts with YOUR dreams, taking YOUR character for our pattern, and serving and obeying YOU in everything.
LORD, help us learn to be content whether we have plenty or whether we are in need. Help us learn to draw on Christ’s power for our strength and rely on YOUR promises. Father we know that the power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do YOUR will and to face the challenges that will surely arise from our commitment. As we contend for the faith, we know that we will face troubles, pressures, and trials – but we also know that as they come we can ask Christ to strengthen us and know that He will supply all our needs in a way that He knows is best for us.
Photo: Old Mission of the Sacred Heart (1842), Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho (The oldest building in Idaho)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on photo to enlarge.
