Giving and Contentment

"...Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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. 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 grief's." (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

We've all seen it before...a person gets lost in the pursuit of happiness. And, if you live in the USA, it seems like the pursuit of happiness means the pursuit of financial prosperity. Walk into the Christian bookstore and you'll see all kinds of books that talk about finding financial freedom, financial blessings, and the blessing of many possessions. I read not long ago a statement that said, "We live in most blessed nation, in some of the most blessed times and yet much of our Christian literature is focused on how we can become more blessed." Don't believe me? Just go to the Christian bookstore and look through some of the books.

While I don't believe financial prosperity is a bad thing, I do think focusing on financial prosperity can be dangerous...Paul's words to Timothy seem to warn us of that. It's all about a proper perspective. I've talked about this before...If we are financially blessed (which, if you live in the US you are automatically financially blessed compared to the rest of the world), it's okay as long as our focus is on Christ and what we can give, rather than what we can get. If our lives are continually focused on moving up to the next step on the ladder, well, I'm not sure we have the proper perspective.

Paul calls for us to be content with what we have...That's a good word for me! I'll be honest...I get caught up in the materialistic, consumer-driven society that we live in. I'd love to have a Porsche Carrera GT. I'd love to not have to worry about paying bills. So, this call to be content with what we have is a bit of a challenge. I can pay lip service to and say, "Yeah, I'm content." But, I'm not sure I truly am.

Paul goes on in 1 Timothy 6 to say, "Flee from all of this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness..."Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant not to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (verses 11, 17-19).

We should all be looking for ways to be "rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share"...no matter how much or how little we feel we have. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measure to you." (Luke 6:38)

So, be content with what you have and give all you can!