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To Be And Not To Be: Be Contented, Not Complacent

September 1, 2017

We can and should be contented with what we have materially. We are thankful for the blessings of food, clothing and shelter. However, spiritually, we ought to be discontent and dissatisfied, if we have left our first love for the Lord, if there is no desire to grow closer to Him. We should never be complacent, indifferent and lukewarm to the things of God. Do not be satisfied with going through the motions of the Christian life as usual. We need to wake up from apathy and lethargy, be hungry for the Word and thirst for a close and vital relationship with God. We need more of Jesus, more of His grace and glory in our lives!

Do we seek His face constantly? If I can illustrate, when we come before His Presence, do we in essence, stand at the outer court, or draw nearer to the inner court, or move into the innermost place of the Holy of Holies? Put it in another way, in today’s context, when we come to church, do we have a mentality of being an audience, “Let the worship leader and the preacher minister to my needs!” Or do we desire to worship the Father in spirit and truth, and encounter Him in a real and intimate way, in the beauty and splendour of His holiness?

Often, the Church equates material wealth with spiritual blessings! Now, in 1 Timothy 6:6, it does not say “gain is godliness” but “godliness with contentment is great gain”. We can be materially wealthy, yet be in spiritual poverty! There are dangers in coveting riches. It is the love of money – not money itself – that is the root of all evil. Greed is deceitful, especially when the poor are being exploited. Often, accumulating wealth causes selfishness and pride, and destroys relationships with others. Character and values are compromised when we focus on possessions, and not God. The passion and lusts for self-gain will wreck the mind and body, and eventually ruin the soul.

Our fulfilment, identity and destiny is in Christ, not our position or possessions. We believe that God wants to bless His children, in order that we can be a blessing to others. Do we bless our brothers and sisters who are in need? Most importantly, are we generous with giving to the work of God, in fulfilling the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let us eagerly and earnestly pursue, “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).