“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
-
06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
