Godliness + Contentment = Real Wealth

Scripture provides us with a formula for attaining great wealth. In 1 Timothy 6:6, if we have Godliness (Christ-likeness) and we add Contentment (satisfaction with what we have) we will be the possessors of "great gain."

Contentment could be defined as: to be satisfied, to be find pleasure in what we currently have.

Which is easier: to be godly or to be content? I must admit, I find contentment to be elusive. Dissatisfaction with what I have can creep up undetected. Whereas in my personal life I tend to guard against sin, I don't think I have set up my "sin-radar" to detect a lack of contentment. Dissatisfaction, just never appeared threatening. But, it is clear that a lack of contentment will rob us of real wealth.

We tend to be more familiar with godliness-training (1 Timothy 4:7-8). But Paul also declares that contentment is "learned" something to be trained at (Philippians 4:11-12). We need to learn contentment in "all circumstances." Contentment is a spiritual life-skill.

Dear Jesus, I desire "great gain," this real wealth. Teach me to be content, to be satisfied, to enjoy what you freely give to me. Help me, may Holy Spirit convict me when I am not walking in contentment. Teach me this secret of being content for it is the secret of being wealthy.

 

 

Provision Is Found On The Way Of Sacrifice

Is there a difference between the names that God calls himself and the names that humans give to God? "Yahweh-Jirah" = "God Provider" is not a name that God calls himself in Scripture but one that Abraham identifies God as (Genesis 22:8). Abraham was describing God's nature to his young, promised son Isaac.

Abraham was describing a God that he knew personally, as description that could be traced to an intimate knowledge of God. Intimate enough not just to describe, but to give identity.

What is more important to this naming of God is the context of the event. While his son Isaac was carrying wood, Abraham was carrying the heavy burden of the mandate to sacrifice his long-awaited son and promise. When asked by Isaac about the fact that there was wood but no animal for the sacrifice the moment was ripe for God's revelation.

Abraham knew God as his "God Provider" but, Abraham discovered this attribute of God on the difficult way of sacrifice. To be honest, the road of sacrifice is not the first place I look for provision, however, this is the first place humanity found provision.

Could it be that the place of provision is also the place of sacrifice? Could it be that this road is the place God has chosen to reveal his intimate, provisional nature?

"Insider" Relationship With An "Outsider" Mentality

In the Gospel of Matthew 8:5-13 we witness an "outsider," [outsider to the Jewish culture] a Roman Centurion was asking Jesus for help, for his servant in "terrible suffering." Jesus offers to go with him to his home, to treat him as an "insider," but the man responds expectantly- no I am not worthy to have you under my roof, I am not worthy of being an "insider."

Being an "outsider" played in his favor. He did not have any prior, self-imposed limitations to what Jesus the Man/God could do. All "insiders" often asked Jesus to touch and heal. Healing was connected (and limited) to proximity. The "outsider" did not even need proximity; he knew that Jesus must have God-Authority and therefore, could heal in a way never witnessed by anyone else.

What if we had "Insider" Relationship With An "Outsider" Mentality? What if he had the affiliation and connection with Jesus without the being routinely limited to what we are used to.

C.S. Lewis points out in the Chronicles of Narnia that God does not always do things in the same way. God is not limited to what we are used to, in fact, Scripture says that He is always doing new things (Isa 43:19), in new ways.

Dear Jesus, help me to be an "insider" in relationship, but an "outsider" in expectations. To allow you to move in mysterious ways. My affinity with you may be familiar, but the destiny you are carving out for me is on the outside of what I am used to.