To Their Hurt

Devotion for Sunday November 12, 2017

Topic: To Their Hurt

Text: Ecclesiastics 5:13

Money is good but not everything. There are some things money cannot buy; it cannot buy freedom from sin, peace, secure the future, stop death from coming to them, etc. Many rich people think that they will secure their future and that of their children with their wealth. Unfortunately, it is not so. Solomon sees riches as source of hurt to its owner. This may be the source of hurt to the owner because

1. He may make an improper use of them or lose his health by them

2. He may join in an unfortunate partnership and lose all

3. His riches may excite the desire of robbers and he may spoil him of his goods and even take away his life.

4. He may leave them to his son, who turns profligate, spends the whole and ruins both his body and soul.

For riches to hurt the owner is one vanity of wealth that after a life of toil and care in accumulating it, it will either be lost or become source of the owner’s death. The rich oppressor’s wealth provokes enemies and robbers. The antidote to this hurt is contentment.. Many people hurt themselves in pursuant of wealth at all cost. This is very unfortunate as it is even seen among Christians who have been admonished to set their minds on the things that are above and not below (Colossians 3:1 – 2). When we understand this, it will help our orientation and perception about wealth. Think about this and take a good stand now before you will hurt yourself so badly.

Food for Thought: Wealth, heaped up out of covetousness will always result clashes of interest among heirs.

Memory verse: Ecclesiastics 5:13

Prayer: God help me to reorder my priorities in life so that I will not pursue wealth at the detriment of my salvation and hurt in Jesus name. Amen.

Antidote to Worry (4) – Self Satisfaction/Contentment

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional

Devotion for Sunday January 8, 2017               

Topic: Antidote to Worry (4) – Self Satisfaction/Contentment

Text: Philippians 4:10 – 12

Today we are studying the last of the antidotes for worry. The fourth antidote to worry is self-satisfaction or contentment. Contentment means satisfaction. Contented means quietly happy and satisfied with the ways things are or have been done. A worldly life is never at ease when things are not happening the way we wanted it. Such life will be filled with anxiety which may result to depression. You can easily notice that there is something wrong somewhere. Such is not the case of a true Christian.

As a Christian, are you able to get along happily (be content) in any circumstances you face? Do you wear anger, bitter, want, hunger, etc, when you come out in the public? Are there times when you get easily frustrated that thing are not working out well for you? Such is not the way a Christian should behave. We know that this world is not our home. When we don’t get what we actually wanted, it shouldn’t lead to worry because we will certainly leave them here on earth and return to God our maker.  

According to our text, it is not so with Apostle Paul. He knew how to be content whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. The secret was drawing on Christ’s power for strength. A contented mind is an invaluable blessing, and is one of the virtues we should develop as Christians. It arises from the belief that God is right in all His ways. Why should we be impatient, restless or discontented? Do you have great needs, or are you discontented because you don’t have what you want? Learn to rely on God’s promises and Christ’s power to help you to be contented with what God gives you. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment in every circumstance. He will supply all your needs, but in a way that He knows is the best for you.

Food for Thought: Hebrew 13:5 - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (ESV)

Memory verse: Philippians 4 verse 11

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the spirit of contentment with all you provide for me in Jesus name. Amen.

FOR GOD HAS SAID

FOR GOD HAS SAID             Sunday June 14, 2015

Text: Hebrews 13:5, 6              Memory verse: v 5

Covetousness is a major problem of present day Christians. Many are now competing with worldly people on wealth acquisition and accumulation. Many have ceased to trust God to provide for them. Now they do it themselves through dubious means. This was the case when this epistle was written. The author advised that their lives should be void of covetousness; inordinate regard for money or such things as money will procure. The reason for this counsel is our topic for the day, for God has said that He will not forsake nor leave us. This assurance is all over the scripture. 

The panacea for covetousness is contentment. William Burkett defines contentment as a “Gracious disposition of mind, whereby the Christian rests satisfied with that portion of the good things of this life which the wisdom of God assigns him, without complaining of the little which God gives to him, or envying the much which God bestows on others.” Is that true about your life?

The reason for the advice on contentment is because God has said and assured that he will not forsake nor leave us. He made this promise to men of God (Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicle 28:20) and He is still making same today. Beloved, God will not forsake you. You may be passing through tough time now but that does not mean He has turned His back against you. Be assured that He will not leave you in that project, study, work, business and endeavour.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 31:8

Prayer: God, as I look up to you, meet me at the point of my needs and grant me the grace to be contented with what you have given to me. 

BE CONTENTED

BE CONTENTED                      Monday June 8, 2015

Text: Philippians 4:11              Memory verse: v 11     

If we are trying to pass a message and people don’t understand us, our message will not yield the much anticipated result. This made Paul to make the statement in our text for clarity, so that the Philippians will not misunderstand the message he was trying to pass across. The fact that the Philippians had not sent help sooner did not mean that Paul had been disappointed in them or that he had been put in desperate straits at that time.

Instead, he had learned an important secret to the Christian life: that he could live happily with whatever he had, whether much or little. He explained that his sufficiency was in Christ alone, who provides strength to cope with all circumstances. Is this not a challenge for us in this present generation where anxiety and materialism have eaten most of us up?

How can we get to that lofty goal of contentment? It is important for believers to realize that biblical ‘contentment’ is not fatalism or submission to one’s lot in life. Contentment involves having right perspective about life; that everything belongs to God and what we have is a gift from Him. We should be thankful for what we have, not coveting what others have. Ask God for wisdom to use wisely what you have and also pray for grace to let go your desires for what you don’t have. This is a panacea for contentment.

Food for Thought: There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.

Prayer: Almighty God, make me to be contented with what you have given me and remove in me every form of greed in Jesus name.

PROPER KNOWLEDGE

PROPER KNOWLEDGE          Sunday May 31, 2015

Text: Philippians 4:10 – 13      Memory verse: v 12

If only Christians could understand what God’s will is for them, it will make them to live their lives fully without grudging. Our text is Paul’s personal testimony about contentment. Paul knew what it was like to live on almost nothing (1 Corinthians 4:11 – 13; 2 Corinthians 6:4 - 10). Although he taught that the churches should support their leaders, he did not demand salaries from the churches he planted. This kept him above criticism (2 Corinthians 11:7). Thus with travel and food costs, Paul probably had very little to live on. Paul also knew how to live with everything (to abound). The Greek word translated abound means ‘to overflow.’

Paul could get along happily because he saw life from God’s point of view. His focus was on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. He had his priorities straight, being grateful for all God gave him and he detached himself from the dispensable so that he could concentrate on the eternal. Is this a challenge for you?

Habitually, the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in our lives. How can you find true contentment? The answer lies in our perspective, our priorities, and our source of power.

Food for Thought: How many of us Christians have learned this important lesson of how to find true contentment?

Prayer: God, teach me to be contented in whatever situation I find myself in my Christian race to heaven. 

Request: Pray for Tabugbo Uzoma as he celebrates his birthday today.