Daily Devotions - Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain

1 Timothy 6:3-10 (ESV)
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

 

Is there a difference between enjoying money and being a lover of money?

 

Precious Jesus, thank You for loving me, for Your Word of truth, and for your forgiveness and grace. These are treasures above all things. I have been richly blessed and I am truly thankful. These times have reminded me why to not put my hope in wealth. It can be taken away in a flash. Contentment is worth more than all wealth I could possibly accumulate. The love of money is extremely dangerous. Money can do a lot of good but when there is a selfish pursuit of wealth and an unhealthy obsession with material things that promise security it actually leads to perpetual insecurity. Pursuing the distribution of free money and free things when having the capabilities to produce income can be just as unhealthy as accumulating wealth. It doesn't produce contentment but selfishness and laziness. Contentment doesn't come from putting hope in money or things. Hope only comes from putting my faith in You. I am thankful for the financial and material blessings, the food and clothing, and all that I have been given. I realize that they are gifts that I can use while I am here on earth and they will not be of value when it's time to go to heaven. What is valuable is what I do with the gifts. I pray that I use them wisely, share them generously, and take the time to enjoy what I have been given. Let me take the time to love and appreciate my family and friends and be grateful for experiences and memories. Help my pursuit be to learn more about Your Word, to get into a deeper relationship with You, to love and serve others, and to live my life as You intended. Amen