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"Godliness with contentment is the mindset for right thinking—the pinnacle of wisdom in the Christian life."

 

A thought by David Jeremiah, from his book, Hope: Living Fearlessly in a Scary World (p. 73). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

They make such a difference.

David says, "Don’t crave more than you need; demonstrate your trust in God by being content with what you have. It’s why Paul could be stripped of all he owned and thrown into prison, yet still manifest incredible joy. The world is filled with wealthy, miserable people who have everything but contentment. Their money is an empty god that can never fill the vacuum in their souls with peace. Here Paul points those with money toward right thinking: 'Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come.' (1 Timothy 6:17-19)."

David goes on, "Paul stresses the idea of both thinking rightly (trust) and then acting rightly (obedience). Right thinking means trusting in an unshakable God instead of riches that we can’t take with us. Right acting means doing good, which builds a heavenly nest egg of riches waiting just for us.

"These insights echo throughout the Scriptures, and they are summed up in Paul’s restatement of Job’s famous observation: 'We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out' (1 Timothy 6:7). Someone has observed that life is ultimately like a board game of Monopoly: you go around a few times; you collect paper money and houses; and then, sooner or later, it all goes back in the box."

He continues, "What we often hear of wealth is true: you can’t take it with you. But you can send it on ahead. Jesus said we can lay up treasures in heaven. That means we can live now in a way that earns a kind of interest for the next life. Whenever we serve a fellow human being, we’re earning that kind of spiritual capital. Jesus said that even giving a cup of cold water to someone in need is rewarded in heaven (Matthew 10:42). He also said that when we amass 'treasures in heaven,' no moth can eat them away, and no robber can steal them (Matthew 6:19-20)."

He later said, "When we do things that honor the Lord, we invest in eternity."

And that is a great thing to do and a great place to invest in, isn't it? Yes, yes! #continuethought

 


 

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