Listen to Devotion

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

There is daily warfare going on inside every believer in Jesus. Our sinful nature wants to love the pleasures of life here on earth more than God and his eternal plan for us. Our sinful nature doesn’t count the blessings we have, but rather it grumbles about what we don’t have in comparison to other people.

Our new nature of faith, however, loves God and his will for our lives and leads us to be content with the necessities of life that God provides. It does not want the accumulation of money to get in the way of worshipping and praising God and moves us to hear and study God’s Word for the benefit of our faith and relationship with God.

This daily struggle inside of us, between the sinful, discontented nature and the new, fully contented nature, is very real. God warns us that craving money, and the things money can buy is detrimental to our spiritual life. Loving money and wanting to become rich can turn us away from God and cause us to lose the amazing riches of forgiveness and eternal life.

With God’s help, let’s daily strive to follow the lead of our new nature of faith. In this way, we give glory to God by showing the world that when we are rich in Christ, it really doesn’t matter how much money is in our bank accounts, the kind of car we drive, the size of our home, or the number of earthly possessions. In Christ, we are content!

Forgive me Lord, for not being completely thankful and content with the way that you have provided for me. Let my life on earth reflect how truly thankful I am for all you have given me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.