Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
April 18, 1994
Good Morning!
GOD HAS PROMISED TO SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS+
THAT'S WHAT WORRIES ME, BECAUSE HIS IDEA OF "NEEDS"
MAY NOT SQUARE WITH MY IDEA OF "WANTS".
"Godliness with contentment is a great means of gain...If
we have food and covering, with these we shall be content."
(I Timothy 6:6, 8)
My problem is that I not only want food and covering, but
also a full menu of choices as to what kind of food...and
covering He is to supply. Israel had the same problem:
"In their heart they put God to the test, by asking
food according to their desire." (Psalm 78:18)
THEN THERE IS THE PROBLEM OF WANTING TO BE RICH:
"Those who desire to get rich fall into temptation
and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which
plunge men into ruin and destruction..." (I Timothy
6:9)
I wonder if our appetite for wealth has something to do with our
desire to have more than one day's provision at a time. Christ
taught us to pray for "daily bread." (Matthew
6:11) In supplying the Israelites with manna, God allowed them
to pick up only one day's provision at a time. If they
attempted more, the manna rotted! (Exodus 16:20). Obviously,
God was dealing with their greed and teaching them to trust
Him one day at a time.
So, what does "godliness with contentment" mean?
Try this:
"That I will view work as a sacred trust and responsibility.
That I will conscientiously seek to provide for my family while
balancing the other legitimately competing demands in my life
(family, church, ministry, personal growth, etc.). I will then
rest the issue of income and standard of living with Him: I
and my family will determine to be content with however and with
whatever He chooses to provide (whether it is a day's provision
at a time, or a year's).
COVETOUSNESS IS DISCONTENTEDLY WANTING AND EVEN DEMANDING
AS A RIGHT THAT GOD ALLOW ME TO LIVE AT A LEVEL THAT CATERS TO
MY WANTS. When these "rights" are not
met, I become discontent...even angry. AND WITH THAT GOD IS
NOT WELL PLEASED.
Have a great week!
Dwight Hill
+Philippians 4:19
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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