We’re closing out 1 Timothy with some echoes of recent themes.
After yet another call to teach for godliness, we have this:
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6.6 – 10, ESV)
I don’t write this stuff…I just report it! Just as I did with this blog: More?
I think we have to work at decluttering our lives. Here’s a verse from 1 John that we’ll get to soon:
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3.2, 3, ESV, emphasis mine)
Being in Honduras has been a GREAT reminder of godliness with contentment. I have SO. MUCH!! Why do I think I need one more thing?? Yesterday we saw a beggar without legs sprawled out on the sidewalk outside a grocery store. He seemed happy, was smiling and greeting each person as they walked in. Part of his “act,” or had he learned the secret of contentment. I wish I had been able to talk to him.