I've been reading the Bible a lot daily since 2008 started and it's been refreshing to be able to delve again into God's Word without feeling angry at Him or sullen. I was just reading Mark 4 and verses 18 & 19 stood out to me. It goes exactly like this ...
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth
and the desires for other things come in and choke
the word, making it unfruitful.
but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth
and the desires for other things come in and choke
the word, making it unfruitful.
It's true; it can be so easy to be caught up by the cares of this life. I've had to grapple very much with finances, thinking about the future and also the materialism that I've afflicted myself with. Everything from wanting a nicer car to clothes and even my expensive hobby of video games & comic books. It's so easy to just want more and more.
I realise that the the desire to want more & more never ends. There will always be something new out there that we'd want ... something cool that catches our eye or something beautiful that we must own. I use the word WANT here because it often feels like we MUST have it. Whether it's a girlfriend or wife (something I want very much by the way) or a 40-inch LCD TV. That's why it struck me that I need to be content in my life. Sure I'm working hard at making things better for the future but isn't it better to live within my means? That's something that I'm working towards and it is challenging cos' the human heart is inclined towards being greedy rather than being content.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6 is sort of a motto of mine these days and it helps also to consciously be thankful about the things that I already have in my life. I'm working on both ... there's learning how to be more Godly plus there's the bit about being content. Learning to be content is why I have a Top 5 Thank List that reminds me I am already blessed with many good things. It is such a privilege to be able to bless others too and I begin to appreciate the freedom of time I have that allows me to help people out. Sure I may not be able to always afford nice gifts to give away but I can give people the gift of time and that sometimes can be more precious than an expensive item.
