Are you content?

I see folks everywhere around me who seem to have just about anything and everything they desire while I not only struggle to make ends meet but even the things that I do have are less than desirable and fail to meet up to others' standard of living.  I have to admit that I have found myself discontent, discouraged and perhaps even jealous.  Have you ever found yourself in that frame or state of mind....DISCONTENT?

While I know that none of those attributes are in the least bit Godly, those feelings seem to flood my soul way more than they should at times.  One of those times was this morning.  Then I felt the Lord gently nudge me to a place in his word that talks about contentment.

...and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many arrows.

                                         1 Timothy 6:5b-10

Through this sixth chapter of 1 Timothy (please take the time to read it in it's entirety that you too can be blessed by what God has to say about contentment), God reminds me that our earthly goods should not play such an important role in our lives and that the things we have do not make us godly, but that godliness with contentment is GREAT gain.  

The things we have or don't have, they are just that...THINGS...and God does not consider them to be gain or godly. In my case, it's my attitude about the things I have or don't have that matters and I really must learn to count my blessings more often. For one, I possess the greatest thing of all...the truth of God's word...the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ which is able to save my soul.

Earthly riches will come and go but the gift of God is eternal and it's of the utmost importance that we don't allow our desire for earthly possessions to cause us to err from the faith.  Food and raiment is truly all we need. Anything more is either a blessing or possibly a curse.   

So if you find yourself discontent at times even perhaps jealous and discouraged, let the Lord say to you today that there is one thing more important than all worldly possessions...HIM....

So instead of seeking after the things of this world...which cannot make one happy or content, we are exhorted to...

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

                                            Matthew 6:33

I have discovered by reading these scriptures today that I have MUCH to be thankful for.  There is no need for discontentment.  I have everything I need and more.  How about you?

Are you giving your BEST or LESS to the ONE who deserves the MOST?

Now that's a big question isn't it?

As I was reading through the book of Malachi this morning, that very question popped into my head. Perhaps God was speaking to me personally, or perhaps it's a question that all of us should ask ourselves from time to time.  It's GOOD to examine our relationship with God on a regular basis, isn't it?

In the book of Malachi God accused his people of not honoring him and of despising his name...

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master:

if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you,

O priests, that despise my name. 

And ye say, wherein have we despised thy name?

                                           Malachi 1:6

by (and I paraphrase)...You offer impure bread on my altar. It's watered down with no leaven and mixed with garbage. You offer blind, lame and sick sacrifices to me.  Would you give that junk to the governor and would he accept it and give respect to you for it.  Then why would you expect me, the almighty God, one greater than your governor, to accept what you are offering, when you have better things to offer me? I know you have better because I gave them to you. 

He goes on to say...you close the doors to the church house or just don't go to services because you don't want to be inconvenienced. You neglect praying or kindling a fire on my altar because you just don't "feel" like it and you say that church is just too much work.  It's a bother and you're weary with it!   

Plus, you are robbing God.  You withhold your goods from me. The very goods that I gave you.

Wow, that's some pretty strong talk from the almighty to his people!  Yet while I was reading through this, the Lord questioned me about the offerings and sacrifices I bring to him and if they are my best.  Now I will say that I do pay my tithes and give into the offering faithfully, but that's not the areas the Lord was questioning me about.  Giving and making sacrifice to the Lord involves more than just money, much more.  

They involve giving of our time, efforts, talents and substance; and, giving the best of those things. 

Do I give 100% of my efforts when it comes to praise, worship, prayer and bible study or do I give blind, lame and sick excuses of why I don't or can't?  Is attending services still special, exciting and important to me or have I become weary and tired of church and of God? 

Admittedly I have some work to do in some of these areas.  How about you?

Are you giving your BEST or LESS to the ONE who deserves the MOST?