Daily Dose 10-21-12

1 Timothy 6:6-12 But 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 griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Contentment seems to be an elusive commodity in our society. We are programmed to want -  to the point of seeing wants as needs. Even the poorest of our society are wealthy in comparison to the world. Then, is it wrong to pursue wealth? As with all matters in a Christ-centered life, it is a matter of motives of the heart. If your desire to achieve more wealth is motivated by lavish wants, you could be in jeopardy of the traps brought by those wants. If you pursue wealth to meet true needs and live generously toward those in need, you will enjoy your wealth with contentment and doing good for others and the Kingdom. 

Father, Show me the difference between wants and needs. Not by the world’s standards, but by Your standards. Teach me to live in generosity and find Your contentment. I love You! Amen