Contentment in a Culture of More
Your Nightly Prayer
by Britt Mooney
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” - 1 Timothy 6:6
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Just recently, a lottery ticket rose to 1.8 billion dollars, the second-highest of all time. A couple of jackpot winners took home hundreds of millions.
We often measure wealth by the wrong standard. While we think money will solve problems, it doesn’t. It might provide fun for a few months or years, but the statistics show that a majority of people who “win” the lottery lose it all within a few years. The money only caused more problems.
Either way, this isn’t the biblical idea of wealth. Chasing money or power only proves a poverty of the soul, where we lose what really matters.
As a pastor, I counseled a very successful man early in my ministry. He had achieved an amazing rank in the military. But his wife and kids left him. He confessed he climbed to the top of the ladder only to realize it was resting on the wrong wall. Fortunately, he got his priorities straight and reconciled with his family.
The apostle Paul, a businessman who made tents for money, shared important wisdom with his spiritual son, Timothy. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Not just minute gain. Great gain.
Godliness is God’s character and life, which we have as a gift through Christ. Contentment means realizing the value in what we already possess, recognizing we have what we need. To live according to God’s character and have contentment, this combo makes us heavenly wealthy.
The world points out our lack and tempts us to buy things to be satisfied, but it’s all built on a lie. Consumerism never satisfies our souls, and so we always require more and more, while being spiritually empty.
True wealth is knowing we have all in God, resting in his love and provision. We need no more than he’s given us. In this, we can turn our hearts to thankfulness, escaping the lie of false wealth and living in God’s riches.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
True wealth isn’t measured by money but through knowing you. Teach me godliness with contentment, to rest in your love and provision. Guard my heart from chasing riches that burn and leave me empty. Help me treasure your eternal gifts—family, faith, salvation, and your continual presence. Let gratitude be my guide instead of greed, and help my life reveal the riches of your Kingdom. You are enough. You are the treasure.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. In what ways do you think material things would solve your problems? How is this a lie?
2. What eternal and practical riches has God provided you with?
3. How is God himself enough? How has he given himself to us?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Tim Douglas
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