Mass Reading & Meditation for September 20, 2013 Meditation: 1 Timothy 6:2-12 Religion with contentment is a great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6) Are you content? It’s a surprisingly complicated question. We love Jesus, but sometimes we feel unfulfilled. We have heard, “The love of money is the root of all evils”(1 Timothy 6:10), but it isn’t always about money. Sure, material things like our possessions, food, or recreation can compete for our love. But the desire for recognition, status, or fame can also make us feel dissatisfied. So what are you longing for? Each of us probably has something that feels just out of reach, and we think that if we had it, we would finally be happy. For some of us, it’s money or material possessions. For others, it’s recognition, popularity, or respect. Whatever it is for you, know that if it becomes a focal point, it can lead you into a trap. We can become envious of those who have what we want. Still yearning for something more, we can stray from the foundation of our faith and mistakenly think that we need Jesus and something else. Banish this fiction from your mind! All you really need is Jesus. He wants to fill and satisfy you. He wants to give you true and lasting contentment. As you learn how to place the things of the world in their proper context, you will find yourself receiving more from Jesus. The best way to find this kind of contentment is to bring your attachments to the Lord and ask him to set you free. Remember, you didn’t bring anything into this world, and you won’t take anything out of it. The only thing that will stand the test of time is knowing Christ, knowing who you are in him, and knowing that you have loved and served others. Use your possessions to advance these three goals, and you will please the Lord. Jesus doesn’t condemn anyone for having riches. But he does warn people who find their security in riches more than in him. His greatest desire is that our hearts be set on things above, not on earthly matters. This is the best way to keep our money and our possessions in the right perspective. It’s also a great way to build the kingdom. “Lord, help me overcome the attachments that keep me from you. Teach me to fix my affections on you and receive the deep contentment of knowing you!” Psalm 49:6-10, 17-20; Luke 8:1-3
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:28:42 +0000
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