1 Timothy 6:6-9
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
One of my former Sunday-school students posted on Facebook this morning that she and her husband are four major bills away from being totally debt-free. She just paid off another credit card balance, and all of her medical bills have been paid. This mother of 2 toddlers is using Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” course as her guide, but many have accomplished this successfully with other methods, as well. What makes this achievement so important is that this young couple – and others like them – are putting money in its place! They are managing money instead of money managing them!
I am only remotely familiar with Dave Ramsey’s course. I do know several people who have utilized it successfully to become totally debt-free very early in life…and I commend them for it. Countless folks suffer all kinds of stress on a daily basis because of bills and upcoming payments that loom over them. Let’s be honest, it is inevitable that such strain keeps us from giving our full focus and attention to our family, our studies or our job, and our walk with God.
This passage is about more than paying off your bills and living debt-free. The Apostle Paul is reminding us that everything we have comes from God. Our focus should not be on acquiring more “stuff”…we should be concentrating on using what we have to serve God. There are two points to consider: 1) it’s hard to stay focused on serving when we are mired in bills and debt; and 2) many of us are busy acquiring more “things”, when we cannot adequately manage what we already have.
What does all of this have to do with showing compassion for one another? Here’s the thing…knowing that we are all human – and vulnerable to the devil’s temptations – we can assume that most of us are enticed on some level by “the next new thing”. It may be the latest electronic gadget, a shiny new toy for our kids, the spring fashions now filling the store, another pair of sneakers, or a new house, car or piece of jewelry. We may desire to “keep up with the Joneses” and eat out…go to movies, concerts and sporting events…dress a certain way…participate in extra-curricular activities at school and church…and even go on mission trips with friends and fellow believers (which costs money).
As we interact with others, recognize that their inner struggles with money may be very similar to yours. Also realize that those who cannot afford to “keep up” with others may be struggling with their emotions and temptations. What can you do to “level the playing field”? How can you find ways to interact – and serve others – that are less costly in terms of actual dollars…yet effective in terms of time, energy, and sharing the love of Christ? By learning to be content with less…to live within our own means…can we actually demonstrate to others that it is truly acceptable and okay to be “wealthy” in ways other than actual money and possessions?
My challenge to you today is to get your own “house” in order. This may mean working to conquer your debts and pay your bills as quickly as possible. Or if you are “debt-free”, you may need to do a little “spring cleaning” and survey your “stuff”. Maybe you need to pare down…to “share the wealth” with those less fortunate…or to use what you have before you buy something else. Or maybe you simply need to shift your focus from “What can I acquire next” to “How can I better serve out of my blessings and abundance?”.
Spend some time in prayer and communication with God and see where He leads you. The Apostle Paul is telling us in these verses that there is great peace and satisfaction in being able to truly say, “I have everything I need”…and to live in the contentment of focusing on God instead of things. There is room for all of us to do some work in this area. Will this be the day that you get started?
©2014 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment