Today in the Word Devotional

The Joy of Contentment


Listen Later

How many minutes have gone by since you saw your last advertisement? These appeals have become so much a part of our life that we barely notice them. They appear on television, our phones, and our emails, encouraging us to buy more than we can afford. How can we practice the joy of contentment? In today’s reading, Paul gives some final warning against false teachers. These people, who do not “agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ,” are arrogant, ignorant, and create controversy resulting in “envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people” (vv. 3–4). But even worse, these false teachers had a false view of wealth and money. Paul encourages Christians to view wealth differently. We must recognize that godliness does not lead to financial gain, but to contentment (v. 6). Paul reminds us that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (v. 7). In other words, material wealth does not have eternal value. This raises the question for a Christian: How much is enough? Paul’s standard for contentment was pretty low: food and clothing (v. 8). It is likely that Paul looked to Jesus as his model (Matt. 6:25–34). Paul was not saying that every Christian should only have the bare minimum. What he was saying is that wealth beyond the basic necessities does not lead to more contentment. In fact, a desire for wealth can lead to a ruined life (v. 9). There is a real danger in the pursuit of more. Paul closes this section with the warning that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (v. 10). It can lead us down a road that ends in “many griefs” (v. 10). >> Christians are not immune to pursuing a life motivated by greed. Take a moment and evaluate your own life. What is your attitude toward money and wealth? What are you living for? How can you learn to be content with what you have?
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Today in the Word DevotionalBy Today In The Word

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

65 ratings


More shows like Today in the Word Devotional

View all
Insight for Living Daily Broadcast by Chuck Swindoll - Insight for Living

Insight for Living Daily Broadcast

3,074 Listeners

FamilyLife Today® by FamilyLife Podcast Network

FamilyLife Today®

1,696 Listeners

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly by Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

4,732 Listeners

Breakpoint by Colson Center

Breakpoint

2,999 Listeners

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life by Tim Keller

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

15,776 Listeners

In the Market with Janet Parshall by Moody Radio

In the Market with Janet Parshall

1,359 Listeners

The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The Briefing with Albert Mohler

8,196 Listeners

The Land and the Book by Moody Radio

The Land and the Book

288 Listeners

Ask Pastor John by Desiring God

Ask Pastor John

3,899 Listeners

Summit Life with J.D. Greear by J.D. Greear Ministries

Summit Life with J.D. Greear

1,296 Listeners

Pray the Word with David Platt by David Platt

Pray the Word with David Platt

1,393 Listeners

Solid Joys Daily Devotional by Desiring God

Solid Joys Daily Devotional

2,136 Listeners

Core Christianity by Adriel Sanchez

Core Christianity

559 Listeners

The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

The Bible Recap

35,159 Listeners

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women by Crossway

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women

75 Listeners