We live in an age of social media. There are many pros and cons of social media. We can instantly reach our friends and families anywhere in the world through it. However, when we use it to compare ourselves with others constantly, it can lead us into depression and discontentment. Contentment is a spiritual discipline that we all need to pursue. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 says:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Contentment is a spiritual discipline: When we hear spiritual discipline, we usually think of Bible reading, prayer, meditation, etc., but we don’t think of contentment. We must all be diligent in pursuing contentment. We need to give thanks to God for everything that we have in life. We must not compare ourselves with what others have but instead give thanks to God for what He has given us.
Be content with food and clothing: Paul says that food and clothing should be enough for us to be content. God will always provide for our necessities. Therefore, we need to always trust God and not fear for the future. If we have food and clothing today, it should be enough for us to be content. At the end of the day, no one can bring their material wealth to the next life.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils: Money in itself is not evil. It is the love of money that can be a snare for all kinds of evils. As Christians, we must be good stewards of the money God has given us and use it to bless others. We must not find our value in our net worth; instead, our value is found in God.
～Min. David Or 柯啟洋傳道～
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