Sunday, October 24, 2021
Be content!
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” - Philippians 4:11 (NIV).
Greed is commonly associated with having an insatiable appetite for food, a habit which many mothers would forbid. The child who can never be content with his plate fill is frowned upon. Whenever we go out for events many people will look with amazement and despise a person who lets his platter overflow with excess food, especially if done with lack of consideration for others.
But greed is not only limited to gluttony. There are indeed those who have no desire for excess food, but do compensate with an insatiable craving for other desires, like drinking alcohol, sexual pleasures, to accumulating items, of which they will never have enough. As little children there is that spoilt child who grows up washed with toys, but is ever asking for more. In life too, there are many adults, who though sufficiently blessed with all they need, are ever demanding to accumulate more property and extend their largess.
Greed is often a result of a deeper problem where someone feels that by acquiring more he will have some security or be recognized. So often, you come across a person who has already more than excess means, being involved in some scandalous venture, just to acquire more possessions. There are those who would even easily kill those in their way, just to have more possessions.
The Bible cautions as to live a life of contentment, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6). This is only to our advantage. People who are not content are ever restless, unhappy with themselves, since they pin their happiness on acquisition of more objects. Yet even after acquiring, since theirs is a spiritual problem, they must go out for more, only to find that has not brought them any more happiness. As Ecclesiastes 4:6, says,
“Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.”
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for all the blessings in my life, and help me be content with all that I have, as then I know you will bless me even more, and this I pray in the name of Jesus!
Related upcoming events
-
03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
