"GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT"

It is important that the child of God find contentment in his/her position in life.

"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Proverbs 23:5

One of the quickest ways to lose money is to get into a "shell game." A shell game has one pea hidden under one of three shells. After they've been shifted around as fast as the hand can move, the contestant
must pick the shell that hides the pea. In most cases the contestant loses. The premise is, "The hand is quicker than the eye." The human eye, as complex as it is, can't keep up with hands that are even
quicker. More basic than this principle is one that draws people into "shell games" in the first place. It's the principle of human greed. Greed is defined as always wanting more. Greed is the underlying compulsion behind every form of gambling, from shell games to casinos. The human heart is not satisfied with the blessings God provides, so we risk what we have in vain attempts to get more. Yet, as Proverbs declares, "For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle....

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1Timothy 6:6

The opposite of greed and the endless pursuit of riches is contentment.

Charles Swindoll has said, "I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me, and 90 percent how I react to it."

The story is told of two young girls who delighted in paging through their "wish book," a mail-order catalog. The six-year-old, as she paged, said, "I want this; I'd like to have that." Turning the pages, she
came to one thing after the other that she was certain she needed. Her four-year-old sister opened to the first pages and said, "I have this and I have that." The sisters were looking at the same book, but they saw things differently.

What is our overriding attitude? Are we, like the four-year-old, conscious of all the blessings God has lavished on us? Or do we, like the older sister, see everything as something we want or need? Let us be grateful for all God has given us, beginning and ending with the gift of forgiveness and everlasting life in Jesus. Let us be content with what we have and give thanks for that.

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippeans 4:11

We never seem to have enough. We buy a house and promptly want to refurnish with new things. We get a raise and shortly find ourselves living to the limit of our higher income. We buy a new car and covet
the newest models as soon as they hit the market. This is our fate as long as we chase after earth-bound goals. Contentment is a handmaid to the attitude that sees wealth and posessions as gifts through which
to give God glory.

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE." Hebrews 13:5

Application: Remember! God is the Giver of all good things! Let Him attend to what
we need! Be content with what we have! Be grateful! Give thanks!

Today's Devotion: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory
by Christ Jesus." Philippeans 4:19