An amazing contrast to a society in which we think that everyone deserves to have a home, healthcare, education, and on and on. Our selvish desires have actually enslaved us to a government of our hearts. Envy has produced a king who taxes the people, not the Lord but a lord, to provide what the people want. In return we need only surrended our freedom. While we clamor about the loss of the ten commandments, we heartily agree with the ever expanding welfare state. All the time we forget that the thrust of the commandments man-ward is the love of neighbor. Two of those forbid coveting and theft. Both of which are the reason and the means of government largesse
granted to the people because of envy.

“Fight the good fight of the faith.”

This was Paul’s caution to Timothy. It was in the context of men who began to believe that godliness, not even the Gospel, was a means to gain. Both can be manipulated to gain riches. Paul makes the incredible statement that godliness should be contentment. And, simply the pursuit of it for its sake is the same as having it.

“Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.”

This is the greater context of Paul’s statements on contentment. Could you imagine instructing the American Christian Consumer to honor those who own them? To exhort them to consider themselves less than others is not even on the radar screen. And in fact, we believe ourselves deserving of the honor of princes. We are to consider that those who are rich and are believers are our brothers and to show them the same respect as any. In other words to love them as ourselves and beyond, as those deserving more honor than ourselves.

With what sorrows we have pierced ourselves through when we neglect the Word of the Lord who says that these things the world seeks after. We should know better. We have the testimony of Israel and how, when she was delivered out of Egypt and became rich, she lost her vision, forgot her Lord and love the things of the world more. God help us, because we are going down the same path.

He says in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

It seems to me that Money(material possessions) has become the Almighty here in America. Even within the church we find the grip of greed and discontent. Churches are being organized and run like for Profit Corporations.

The question Jesus was asking in Matthew 6 was, who is your God? Where are you putting your faith? For the majority of American’s it’s in their 401k and house(s). Our faith should be in God, who provides even for the birds and smallest creatures.

Bottom line… It’s a heart issue. It’s about trusting God to provide for our needs. Storing up treasures in Heaven, not here on earth.