You Can't Buy Contentment

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6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 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. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 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. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:1-10

"Whenever we are deeply grieved at material loss, we lack this contentment. Whenever we get an inordinate pleasure from buying or having some material thing, we lack this contentment."- Guzik

The bible talks quite a bit about money. There is nothing wrong with money itself, but Paul tells Timothy that the "love of money" is the root of all evil. The problem is when people acquire a lot of money is that life becomes more complicated. One has to worry about their investments, all the people who want you to give money to them, and some of the things money can buy only create a dependency for more.  There are stories of people with many closests filled with shirts or shoes. Not to mention some people lack even one pair of shoes. 

Again there is nothing immoral with money, or being successful and making a lot of money. But with more riches comes more responsibility to handle it wisely. One day we will be accountable for all the things we have been given, including material possessions.

But Paul tells Timothy about another kind of wealth. He calls it godliness. Though none of us are completely godly, we strive to be more godly with the help of the Holy Spirit. And godliness brings with it "contentment". 

When we live and act without contentment, we are trying to fill needs in our lives – a need to be “somebody,” a need to feel secure or cared for, a need to have excitement and newness in our lives – most people try to fulfill these needs with material things, but they can only really be met by a spiritual relationship with the God who made us. 

When we get addicted to anything in the world it is like drinking cups of salt water. We think we are a satisfying our thirst but it only makes us thirstier. And if we drink too much it may kill us. 

Are you content? Are you seeking to be godly? Money can't give you peace, hope, joy, or love. It may bring temporary happiness, but it can quickly be taken away. The riches that God will give you will never be taken away! 

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