Godliness With Contentment

Haggai 1:6-7  “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink, ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.”

 
     Amazing, isn’t it, how relevant these words are for us today?  Yet think how many years ago they were written.  Just look around at people today, they are striving, striving, striving and yet they want more, more, more.  The more they have, the more they want.  There never is a time when they are satisfied or content.  Our materialistic age even has many many Christians caught up in its web.  God’s Word tells us in I Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  Also, Hebrews 13:5a gives us the following instructions, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.”
   Now read the devotional Scripture verse for today again.  We can learn another lesson from it: a lesson that is portrayed so vividly and in such figurative language.  Here we picture a man eagerly putting a large handful of coins into a bag.  He has worked hard throughout the week for those coins.  Much effort, time and sweat has been expended for his gain.  He continues saving each week for a while; carefully putting the coins in the bag.  One day he sits down to count his coins.  His heart is merry and he happily envisions the great sum he must now have accumulated.  But alas, when the bag is opened, there are but a few coins!  What has happened to all his work and effort?  Why are there not more coins?  Surely he put more in the bag?  Carefully he examines the bag hoping that somehow he will discover his coins.  But to his utter disappointment he finds holes!  Holes!  The coins have slipped through the holes in the bottom of the bag and are gone.
     Hard work is necessary and commanded by God’s Word, (“if any would not work, neither should he eat,”  II Thessalonians 3:10) but such is the outcome of our efforts when we put too much value on the coins themselves.  How many of us have the paycheck spent even before we get it?  How many of us spend more than we make?  The harder we work, the more quickly the money disappears and it’s like a vicious cycle that never ends. We can earn much but it will never be enough if we are not content and satisfied with what the Lord provides.  God will supply the coins needed, at the time we need them.  Like the manna—-it was on the ground each morning.  Kept manna spoiled— likewise, coveted earthly things spoil and do not bring contentment.  God will give enough for our daily need as we trust Him.  And when we wait on the Lord, and ask Him to bless our work; when we are careful and content with what the Lord gives us; He’ll make a little go a long way. God will supply our need ! 
 
The Better Way: Trusting In The Lord With Contentment Is the Best Way
 
Read also: Joy in Work
Read also:  Joy In Purpose

About Gail Slawson

I am a 74 year old wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. After 54 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord and 5 great-grandchildren. My husband and I are busy retirees and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible Studies, as mentors in our church and telling others about Him "as we go." Mark 16:15
This entry was posted in Encouragement, Godly Living, Guidance, Guidance for Women. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Godliness With Contentment

  1. Melinda says:

    Amen 🙂

    Like

  2. VC Slawson Jr. says:

    Good one for my personal finance class.

    Like

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