Finances Friday...
For this "Finances Friday" post, I'm going to do something a little different. This week we didn't pay-off any huge amounts of debt. Oh well, you can't do every week what we did the past few weeks.
This week, as I was reading my Bible, I was struck by a verse in I Timothy. In this verse it said,
"If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation, and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (I timothy 6:8-10)There's a lot here. But the sentence that hit me this week was, "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." Am I really content with just food and clothing? My answer is no. I always want more, and that is what has gotten me into trouble.
As I go on this journey of becoming debt free, I have come to realize that this journey isn't just about being debt free and living on a budget. It's about being content with what I've been given. Being content with the food and clothing I have and not wanting more or the next thing. To be honest, this is hard. It's hard to be content when I see so many things I want or think I need.
So, on this Finances Friday, my prayer is that I would be able to say, like Paul...
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:8-10)Lord, teach me how to be content in whatever situation I'm in!
4 comments:
As you well know how the enemy works.....now that you have voiced what your plan is....you are bound to run into road blocks and times when you feel that you are not progressing with your goals. Just stay strong and steadfast and celebrate the fact that the Lord has brought you too this. Every moment, every day, every week is a victory. Be encouraged.
I've also always struggled with contentment. I tend to laugh it off when I talk about the things I want. The next best computer, phone, house, etc. But I do think I should take it more seriously. It is probably a bigger issue in my life than I realize. If would only take that energy and pour it into more Kingdom things, I will hopefully feel more rewarded some day.
There it is...my most in depth blog comment yet. Maybe I'll blog about it.
Dave,
As always, love your posts. Two verses that I've always loved, believe, yet find challenging in my day-to-day existence to remember the truth of and live by are Ephesians 1:3 and 2 Peter 1:3. We have received "every spiritual blessing in Christ" and God has given us "everything we need for life and godliness..." I have everything I need in Christ. So why do I live as if I "need" all this other stuff too? I need to live what I believe.
this made me think too. nice post.
also Matt Yount you are always a very encouraging guy. That is a cool trait to have!
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