Daily Reflections, Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Today's Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-8

“Gain is a poor indicator of godliness. I visited Pastor and Mrs. Nelson Flores in the Philippines with our mission team back in February. They once lived in an affluent Chicago suburb. They owned a large house and had good jobs. But God called them to start a church in the Philippines. They traded the luxuries of America for the tough living conditions of the Philippines. Several years later, they have no regrets. These godly people have learned the secret to gain—contentment. And God has blessed them.

I’ve heard statements such as: “Send in $100 and God will give you a new Cadillac!” “Send us your seed money and watch as God blesses you one hundredfold!” These claims are based on the faulty premise that gain equals godliness.

Will God bless us when we give? Absolutely. But we are gullible and naïve to think that God’s favor can somehow be purchased. It doesn’t work for salvation, and it won’t work for our Christian service. God’s blessings are sometimes intangible. You won’t get a return check in the mail every time you tithe in church.

God’s blessings are not limited to currency. He may also bless your health, job, or family.

Friends, God wants to bless us. But we must learn to be content while doing His will. Ask God to help you develop godliness with contentment today.

Today's Quote: He who is not contented with what he has would not be contented with what he would like to have. —Unknown Author