ESOCS Devotional 6 September 2023 – Be Contented
MEMORY VERSE: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 NIV
TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-19 (KJV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The desires and wants of men foretimes have been proven to be insatiable because the more a man gets something, the more he would want to get more. Discontentment is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the life of men and so many casualties have been recorded as a result of this menace.
Today in our society, there are so many heartbroken stories we keep hearing on daily basis such as, ritual killings, robbery, cybercrimes, etc. When you carefully trace these incidents, you would find out that they are being committed as a result of the fact that someone or a group of people somewhere wants to acquire some amount of money or probably be in possession of certain choice properties.
Making money or getting properties in the city or any place at all is never a bad idea; it is a good thing to have and enjoy the good things of life, but whatever acquisition a man is making must be ensured not to be powered by greed or avarice.
In our text today, Apostle Paul explained to Timothy the dangers and threats that such practices pose to the life and destiny of a man, and he recommended contentment.
When a man is contented, he saves himself from unnecessary troubles and dangers out there. When a man is contented, he cuts his coats according to his size, and try as much as possible to live within his means.
We brought nothing into the world, and we are definitely not going to leave the world with anything (1 Timothy 6:7). So, it is not ideal for us to mount pressure on ourselves and push ourselves into unwarranted evil because of our pursuit for material gains.
- Learn to avoid friends or companions who pressurize you to live above your means, stay away from such gatherings and save yourself from pains.
- Oh Lord, give me the grace to discipline myself and start living within my means.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 16:8; Luke 3:14; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:5
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ESOCS Devotional 6 September 2023
