1 Timothy 6:6-12
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly cannot take anything out. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be satisfied. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into complete destruction and utter ruin. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils. By striving for money, some have wandered away from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and about which you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Dear Heavenly Father,
May we be content with all you bless us with; forgive us when we look at others’ blessings and want what they have. All that we have is yours, to begin with, and you allow us to be stewards of those blessings; some people have more, and others have less; please strengthen our faith to be content with the gifts you have given us. What we need in this life is food and clothing, any more than that are gifts from you. Forgive us when we consider money as the source of our contentment; it is a tool and a blessing; you provide us with the ways we earn and accumulate money to provide for our food and clothes, and you provide all we need to get us to this life’s end.
In this sinful world, people associate wealth with power and go to extremes to accumulate wealth for themselves, even by illegal means. Money is not evil but one source of all kinds of evil. It is saddening to think all the world’s efforts will come to nothing at the end of this life; none of their money will follow them where they go. Those who reject you will suffer for the rest of eternity with none of their earthly treasures. However, for those who trust in you by faith, you give them the keys to their heavenly mansion; you share all that is yours with the believers. Let our contentment come from knowing and trusting your Son. Jesus suffered upon the cross for all our sins; by believing in him, you have restored us to your good favor not with gold or silver but with Jesus’ holy precious blood and his innocent suffering and death.
We ask that You strengthen our faith through Your word so that we focus on what is essential for our eternal life. Forgive us for all our sins when we get wrapped up in our earthly desires, and refocus our attention on pursuing you. Let us share the good news of your forgiveness, love, and mercy with those who do not know you so they, too, will follow you. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Flee from the things of the world and fight the good fight of faith; hold onto the forgiveness Jesus has won for you because only there do you have eternal life.