INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

True contentment only flourishes within the lives of committed followers of God's word. Three important truths aid in fully comprehending scriptural contentment: (1) Man was born into this world with nothing (1 Timothy 6:7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
See All...), (2) Upon death, man leaves this earth with nothing (1 Timothy 6:7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
See All...), and (3) God declares that man should be content when provided with food and raiment (clothing) (1 Timothy 6:8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
See All...). Understanding and accepting these three truths helps cultivate a true sense of godliness and contentment. This is why the Bible defines godliness combined with contentment as “great gain” and warns those who will be rich that they fall victim to temptations, snares, and many foolish and hurtful lusts (1 Timothy 6:9But 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.
See All...). Interestingly, the Bible warns the covetous man that all of his earthly possessions during a lifetime of accumulation will be left behind for someone else to enjoy (Ecclesiastes 2:17-21 [17] Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. [18] Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. [19] And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. [20] Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. [21] For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
See All...). Contrariwise, the contented man with few possessions has his possessions enlarged into “great gain.”

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children) Name a few things that you have eaten today. Are you wearing shoes or socks or a shirt right now? Let's take time to thank God for giving us these necessary things.
• (For everyone) Has God blessed you with food and raiment? Has God blessed you with more than simply food and raiment? Why do you think that even with these necessities, we tend to murmur for more things?
• What things do you most desire? Will you take these things with you once you die? How long do people generally live? Compare that to the length of eternity. Should your time, strength, and life focus on things that will last a few years or those that will last forever? (Meditate for a moment on the eternal rewards in heaven and the souls of men, women, boys, and girls on earth.)

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask God to help you spend time labouring for the eternal rewards.
• Thank the Lord for your food and clothing.

SONG

Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?

LTB DEVOTIONS ON FACEBOOK

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.