The Grands Letter (GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on September 21, 2018 6:35 am (CST)Dear Grands,
1 Timothy 6:6-9, “But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
You probably don’t watch the stock market very often. Most people don’t; but it is a good indicator of the economy of the nation. When things are going well with the economy, those with money invested make more and are content –that is, they are content for the moment; then they want to make more.
Nowhere in Scripture is richness condemned. Some of the godliest men in Scripture have been rich. Yet, Scripture does condem the love of riches because those who continually want more, do not live lives of contentment. Paul says we should be godly because “godliness is a means of great gain.” You and I entered this world with nothing, and we will take none of what we have gained with us when we die. It’s the saying that’s “there’s no U-Haul behind the hearse.”
Paul goes further to say that those who thirst for riches fall into temptations that destroy them.
No one intends riches to destroy him, they just do! Even Solomon, with all the abundance he had, was ultimately destroyed. He became discontent and called all of it “vanity.” The emphasis in all of this is that we need to relax and be content with what we have. If we have only food and clothing, we have more than most of the world. “…be content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you…’” (Heb. 13:5). The LORD is ever and always our Supreme Provider. Trust Him for all of your needs. Sometimes, when He sees you are content, He may even provide a few of those “wants” you have.
Faithfully, we remember you in our daily prayers,
Nana & Dado III
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America
“We never know that God is all we need
until He becomes all that we have.”
