Inspirational Insights: Being content in any situation
Luke 12:15, Then He said to them, “Take Heed! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.
In these days it seems as though covetousness and greed has consumed our life. We want, we want, we want! Not just things we can buy ourselves but to rob and steal what others have. The “snatch and grab” we’ve seen in the news and read about in the papers is an excellent example.
Covetousness is not necessarily a sin that others can see, and at times we may not even be aware that we are committing it. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Men have confessed to me every known sin except the sin of covetousness”.
During these days of unrest and uncertainty, I have to wonder if this isn’t the most breakable of the Ten Commandments.
That’s why Jesus warns us, “Take Heed (pay attention)!” It’s a warning for all of us; not just a suggestion.
The second part of the verse is His explaining why we need to take heed. He doesn’t care about how much we possess. He cares more about what we do with the possessions we have.
In the “Expositor’s Bible Commentary” this verse is explained as such: “Greed seeks possessions, which are not equated (associated) with true living. In fact, they become a substitute for the proper object of man’s search and worship — God. Therefore, greed is idolatry.
1 Timothy 6:10 reminds us that, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness…”.
Money plays a big part in covetousness and greed. However, having money, nice things, and many possessions is not wrong. The “love” of money and possessions is. If money is top of the list, many will stop at nothing to acquire more and more until their happiness is only determined by the amount of possessions they hold over others.
Our lives cannot be prolonged nor can we prevent from getting sick just by the possessions we possess. Comfort and true happiness do not lie in things or money. Nor can eternal life be bought or obtained by the quantity of our possessions.
The “Sunday Pictorial” in London once gave an assessment of America saying, “You shock us by your belief that the almighty dollar and armed might alone can save the world”.
I’m wondering if America is not in this position today; overcome by covetousness and greed.
I have to admit I’ve been guilty of coveting. Not so much that I would want to take away what someone else has but more likely just wanting and wishing for something similar. We should be happy for those who seem more prosperous than we are, and content with what we have.
Paul says in Philippians 4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength”.
Thank God for what you have today and God will bless you with what you’ll need tomorrow. If you do this, you’ll have no need or desire to want what others have.
It’s the “thou shalt not” we should pay attention to very carefully.
(I’ve been requested to ask each of you to pray for a gentleman who had a stroke several months ago. His name is Kevin (last name omitted). His days are spent in a wheelchair or in bed. He so desperately wants to walk again. Also praying for people on Harnedsville Road and Baroni Avenue in the Acosta area. Please remember them in your prayers this week. If you have any street requests for prayer please send them to me at the email below.)
(Nancy Stoppe of Jenners is affiliated with Jenner Township Baptist Church, Boswell. She can be contacted at stoppe123@comcast.net.)
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Nancy Stoppe column about being content
