Reading
SAA Notes
Material possessions are not wrong in themselves. Our problem comes with our attitudes and desires. What reasons does Paul give for the stupidity of loving money? Look at the guidelines given for those with possessions. How will you practice them?
SJA Notes
* Holy Father, ever-present God of Hope. Please teach us from Your word today.
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine that does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”
People who imagine godliness is a means of gain; those who crave controversy; those who crave quarrels about words – They understand nothing.
This is a hard word.
Paul tells us the truth.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain,”
If we are growing puffed up with conceit, teaching different doctrine, perhaps developing a craving for controversy and quarrelling about words (think about what this means in practical relational terms) – Then this is a hard word for us!
If we imagine godliness is a means of gain – Then we need to heed God’s word.
We are to turn about and wrestle instead with what godliness with contentment looks like.
Because that is great gain. We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
Are we content as we seek to grow in godliness?
* Loving God,
You are the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see – To You Lord God be honor and eternal dominion.
Amen.