Beware of Influenza: Praying in

Godliness with Contentment for Our Children

Today God wants us living for Heaven, and every other day of our earthly lives.

But, we have to do so in the midst of an epidemic that has gotten stronger century by century. This flu we face as believers in Christ each day is far more deadly than the H1N1 variety of influenza now loitering and infecting people across the globe. Affluenza or materialism is a deadly disease that robs Christians of their desire for Heaven and replaces it with a desire for earth.

As we open to I Timothy 6 we find Paul warning about this spiritual sickness of materialism. Today measure your personal resistance level to the nearly irresistible draw of spending life chasing stuff, money, pleasure, and possessions.

I Timothy 6:6-8 "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

A Theology of Possessions:

7 Keys that Promote & Protect Contentment

How do we learn and teach contentment to our families? The best way to start is to do a study of the "Seven Keys to Promote and Protect Contentment" from I Timothy 6. Here they are, why don't you jot them into your Bibles?

1. Always remember things are only temporary. 1 Timothy 6:7 "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

2. Only seek necessities, wait for the rest. 1 Timothy 6:8 "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

3. Avoid a consuming desire for prosperity. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

4. Flee materialism. 1 Timothy 6:11 " But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."

5. Cling to eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:12, 15, 19 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."   

6. Pin your hopes on God. 1 Timothy 6:17 "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. [I hope we have enough to…I hope that this investment will…I hope this job will last…]"

7. Give until it hurts. 1 Timothy 6:18 "Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share."

Affluenza or materialism is a deadly disease that robs Christians of their desire for Heaven and replaces it with a desire for earth.

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