BE CONTENTED WITH WHAT WE HAVE (1 TIMOTHY 6:6)

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

Be Contented with What We Have

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

We are now in the last quarter of 2023. Time has quickly flown by. We can never go back in time to “relive” the moments again. If we have done well, we thank God. If we had not, we can only regret and pray for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Moving forward, we can only pray that we will do much better with the time that is still before us. We must use every moment that is before us to live a godly Christian life lest we regret, fail and bring shame to God’s name by having done inadequately or nothing for His namesake and glory.

How much time do we have on earth? The Bible tells us “... threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” Psalm 90:10. Yes, 70 years from “cradle to grave”. Some may live a bit longer, some lesser. Whatever it is, the body weakens and the feeling of body aches and pains becomes part of the aged life.

This physical affliction will adversely impact our daily lives. Some may even suffer poor mental health and experience senility. Some may be sick and bedridden. God willing, some may be in the pink of health. Thus, for those who are growing in age, time is short, and before we know, the body begins to give way and every year, if not days, is nearer to our expiry on earth. During this moment of time, some may regret that they had not done much for the Lord and some may regret having done nothing!

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” Ecclesiastes 12:1 It is not like what the wisdom of the world teaches: “Youth for pleasure, middle age for business, old age for religion.” The Bible teaches “Youth, middle age, and old age are for your Creator. Do not procrastinate to know and serve God.”

Do not waste the youth or whatever balance of time we have to serve the Lord. Life here on earth is short. Life hereafter is eternal. We all know this, but we still place a lot of emphasis and significance on cultivating, caring and gathering worldly treasures on earth. We put in a lot of effort and time in our earthly pursuits whilst using the “leftover time”, if any, to do God’s work. I am as guilty as many brethren. May God, in His mercy, forgive us as we re-examine our lives and renew our commitments to Him. May we be reminded to “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:2 and “...  put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” Colossians 3:10

Back to basics

The Bible teaches that we must be thankful with whatever we have. We will never have enough money or materials to satisfy our dreams, needs and desires. With the little we have, we will want more. Yet the more we have, the more we desire. This is human greed and covetousness. Greediness and covetousness are endless and bottomless. They have life by themselves as you will still want more and more.

People in this situation are trapped and they normally are not aware of it. They work very hard day and night. They sacrifice their lives and families. They do not have quality time for themselves nor for their families. Many have sleepless nights and have worries, unhealthy lifestyle and failing health. This is the worldly pursuit that many chase after!

Do you want to have this kind of life? God tells us to be contented with whatever we have. To live within our means is to live happy and comfortable lives. Believe that God is the one who knows and provides our every need. Life is simple, and we should not be burdened and troubled. The simple and contented Christian has a blessed life in Christ. His comfort, trust and safety are in the Lord for eternity.

God says many “... fall into temptation and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition ... they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” 1 Timothy 6:9-10. Many who chased after wealth and material gains have succumbed to the attractions and lures of the world. They had made wealth and money their idols and gods. They had little faith and some even forgotten the faith. They experienced sorrows and pain. Their faith is in question and Satan has dominion and victory over them.

As Christians, we are in the world BUT not of the world. Let us learn to live a godly Christian life. Our lives here on earth are short when measured against eternity. Remember, we are rich in Christ and have all that we need while on earth. God says that if He cares for the flowers of the field and birds of the air, He will surely care for us even more as we are His children. God further adds “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself” Matthew 6:34. Just trust and believe in what He says. He will surely care and provide for us.

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:12 also teaches us “... how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” For this is the way all Christians should live and to trust in the Lord.

Finally, remember we are rich having much peace, blessings, comfort, safety and sufficiency in the Lord. This is important as we live daily for Him and serve Him. Let us work the works of Him, “... while it is day for when the night cometh no man can work” (cf. John 9:4).  May we devote more time and effort in this manner. Look to Jesus and the things of the world will grow strangely dim.

As we live with eternal values in mind, let us rejoice. Let us continue to bear testimony for Christ that others may see our good works and provoke them unto love and service for the Lord. Let us remember and prepare to give testimony of God’s goodness unto us and loved ones at the end of the year during the Watchnight Service. To God be the glory. Amen.

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng