07/29/2020
Are we meant to be content in our godliness over all that the world has to offer? When faith in Jesus has led us, and the Holy Spirit has revealed to us the character of God, do we find ourselves living at ease in our godliness? Though Satan tempts us with wealth, power, and a life founded in the world, there is no true happiness in them, and we are never content in all that we have. We flit like hummingbirds from blossom to blossom all the days of our lives. However, godliness breeds contentment, and a lasting peace, that instills in us an overwhelming joy... each of these being eternal.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”
1 Timothy 6:6-7 ESV
My wife and I have many grandchildren, and when the young ones come to our house they go immediately to a cabinet where we keep some toys for them to play with, and each one pulls out their favorite one. Sometimes two children will want the same toy and when this happens, jealousy leads to argument as they struggle over it, but regardless of who has what toy, they are never content for long with what they are playing with, and they go back to the cabinet to pick out another one. By the end of their visit every toy is out of the cabinet, they are bored, and several arguments have erupted. It is much the same as we grow older. When our adult cabinets are filled with earthly desires we argue too, and wars break out among us. However, when we select godly possessions for ourselves, and our godliness prevails, then peace rules among us, and God’s joy is poured out over us.
“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.””
Luke 12:15 ESV
So what is our life, and where do we spend it? Do we believe it is an existence we experience that is bound by time, and lived out here on earth? Do we believe that we live between our first breath and our last, and that to be happy we must grab as much of it as we can before we die... and return to nothingness? Or, do we see God, and live a righteous, holy, and content life in Him? Is our concern for earthly possessions overshadowed by a pursuit of godliness? Do we spend our time on earth gathering things, or as a solitary waypoint in a godly eternity?
“whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:11 ESV
Returning to the story of my grandchildren; when It is time for them to return home, they often want to take a toy with them, but when they realize that the toys must be returned to the cabinet they pout and cry. They simply can’t understand why this is so, and feel it is quite unfair. We explain to them that unless they leave the toys, then they, and their cousins, will not have anything to play with the next time the visit, but that logic takes time for them to grasp. As citizens of the world it is the same...
“Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.”
Psalm 49:16-20 ESV
As citizens of the world men have long struggled with leaving their toys behind. They have developed intricate schemes to keep possession of them. Kings have been buried with their possessions, monuments have been erected to themselves, or when these things are finally understood to be futile, then carefully thought out wills are written so that they can extend their hand from the grave, and influence where their earthly treasure goes after they have died. However, none of these things buys them a single breath of life, or gives them an ounce of peace. Only God, through Jesus Christ can lead us to godliness, and bless us with His peace... for eternity. Are we ready to choose the path we will take?
“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. And it will hail when the forest falls down, and the city will be utterly laid low.”
Isaiah 32:17-19 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Word, Jesus Christ, and your Holy Spirit. Thank you for revealing your character to us so that we can live righteous lives by adopting your ways, and then be comforted in the peace you provide. Thank you for your mercy, grace, forgiveness, and the eternity that you invite us to enjoy with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who gives us of yourself, and makes us to be like you as we are transformed from creatures of the world into children of the one true God. Great are you in all your ways, and we praise you for the joy you bring into our lives. In you we find ourselves complete, and in our godliness we shout your name, and celebrate eternity at your table... basking in your glory forevermore.
“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV
Rich Forbes