“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
1Timothy 6:6
It is ironic that the wisest man who lived was perhaps also
the world’s biggest fool. When he was a young man Solomon was asked by God to
name what he wanted, and it would be given to him. He asked for wisdom. God,
pleased with his choice, gave him not only wisdom, but riches, and long life.
People flocked to hear his wisdom and admire the opulent temple
he built. Israel enjoyed peace on all sides. Sadly, it wasn’t enough. Solomon
began to undertake a massive building campaign, sent ships searching for more
riches, and married the daughters of the kings that surrounded him until he
drew the anger of God.
Success is not measured by the continued amassing of more—at
least, that’s not how God measures it. Success is being happy, grateful, and at
peace with what you do have. Paul said he knew how to be content whether suffering
lack or abounding in good things.
That kind of contentment comes about only by our accepting
the ups and downs of life as streaming from God’s design. Heaven (an eternity
with God) is not a reward for a certain lifestyle, but the everlasting continuation
of a life lived in accord with God.
Jesus asked, “what is a man profited, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for
his soul?”
What did Solomon’s building, trading, and alliances profit
him? What did he gain that was better than what he received at Gibeon? Or put
another way, what did he lose by compromising what he had in order to improve
upon God’s gift, by building bigger and bigger storehouses?
There is no gain that
exceeds the things God has already trusted to our care—our gifts, our talents,
and our worship.
Maranatha
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