The Grands Letter

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 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
9 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.”

Hardly a day goes by that my inbox doesn’t receive an invitation to be happy by making money! If they are right, then tell me why many who have money are so often discontent with life. This only leads me to believe that the enormity of riches is not the source of human contentment. If not, then what is?

Many of the godly men in Scripture possessed enormous riches. Surely, then, riches themselves are not wrong. The Apostle Paul takes great care in guiding young Timothy in this matter. As he does so, he guides us as well, if we will but listen and follow his instructions. There is only one sure means of being content; it is godliness! Knowing the LORD, being committed to Him, listening to His words, following and resting in His instructions –that is the sole means of contentment.

Nothing that we now possess was ours at birth; and nothing we possess at our hour of death will go with us. So, why are we so concerned about those things now? The only two things we genuinely need are food and clothing; and with these, we are told to be content. Moving, as often necessitated by those in ministry, has required my leaving behind many things I thought to be important. Yet, even those souvenirs I did retain, now rest in dust in my garage.

LORD, spare me from all temptations that would turn my thoughts away from You! Let peace supersede prosperity! Let godliness be my means of great gain!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom