*‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:6‭-‬10‬ ‭NIV‬‬*

[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] 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. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 

 

Contentment celebrates grace. The contented heart is satisfied with the Giver and is therefore freed from craving the next gift

 

 

*Sin does two very significant things to us*

 

1. It causes us all to insert ourselves

into the center of our worlds, making life all about us. In our self-focus, we are all

too motivated by our wants, our needs, and our feelings, and because we are, we

tend to be more aware of what we don't have than of the many wonderful blessings

that we have been given. 

 

 

2. It causes us to look horizontally for what can only ever be found vertically. So we look to creation (worldly pursuits) for life, hope, peace, rest, contentment, identity, meaning and purpose, inner peace, and motivation to continue. The problem is that nothing in creation can give these things. 

 

 

*Ps. 73:25-26*

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever"  

 

 

*PRAYER POINTS*

 

1. Let's pray for the grace to shift our focus from self-centered desires to gratitude, celebrating the abundance of blessings.

 

2. Let us pray for forgiveness for moments of envy and selfishness. Ask God to cleanse our hearts and fill us with the spirit of contentment. 

 

3. Let's pray that God will help us recognize when we seek fulfillment horizontally, and the wisdom to turn vertically to Him

 

4. Ask God for the strength to resist the scorekeeping mentality, embracing a spirit of contentment in all circumstances.