1 Timothy 6:6-8

Summary retelling of 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Paul speaks highly about godly living combined with contentment.  He reminds Timothy that we are born without owning anything and as soon as we die we relinquish any ownership over anything that we assumed ownership over while we are living.  Paul then says that if we have food and clothing, we should be content.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Godly living and contentment.  What a concept!  Imagine a person who does what is right and is happy with their station in life.  Forgive my sarcasm, but that seems so anti-Western culture!  Our culture spends so much time focused on competing, being the best, getting promoted to bigger and better jobs, and keeping up with the Joneses {or more likely, surpassing them and rubbing their noses in it.}  Paul says that such an idea is just not Christian.  Godly living is paired with contentment.  We should accept God’s plan – and that may include things like promotions, wealth, notoriety, etc.  But we don’t pursue these things unless it is God’s plan for us.

Do you feel that much of our culture pushes the idea of being content with what you have?  What examples can you give of places where you feel society pushing you to not be content with what you have?  Honestly, how do you normally respond to those influences?

Second Thought:

Paul gives a great quote: you came into the world with nothing and you leave the world with nothing.  Literally, that’s true.  If we spend all of our time in this world living for the stuff of this world, when we die our life is genuinely fruitless.  What a horrible and sad thought!

Does this point not beg the question: why live for the things of this world?  Why do so many people live pursuing things that will not go with them after death?  Why do so many people spend time pursuing things in this world that probably won’t even make it past 5 years of functionality?

Third Thought:

Paul says that food and clothing are enough with respect to the stuff of this world.  Really.  That’s what he says.  Think about it for a second or two.  Let that thought sink in.

Honestly, would you be content if you had clothing and food (and water, I’ll add)?  What else do you need?  What else of the world do you spend your life pursuing?  Why do you pursue those things?  Is God in the pursuit of those things?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Timothy 6:9-10