ENOUGH
Erin Kranz
Today's Scripture: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5, ESV
Theme: God calls us to be content because we can trust Him with everything we need.
UNTHANKFUL SHEETS
I was a collector of many things growing up – Beanie Babies, Pokémon cards, rocks – and this appears to be a trait I’ve passed down to our boys. But now as a mom, there is one thing that tends to cause some frustration… I’ve discovered that many toys today come with either a sheet inside the box or a display on the back of the packaging that shows you allllll the other toys you could/should get to make your set (and joy) complete. So, what happens when we give our children one of these new toys? They are excited and thankful for about 30 seconds until they flip the box over, and then they are instantly taken over by all the other toys they wish they could have instead.
I’ve started calling these “unthankful sheets” in our house, and my kids now know we have to throw them out as soon as we open anything.
BEING CONTENT
Just like children, how often do we look around at all the things we don’t have rather than being content with what we do have? This kind of pattern not only steals our joy, but it also moves our focus off building God’s kingdom. Paul admonishes us that “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (I Timothy 6:6-8, ESV). Jesus tells us not to worry about our earthly needs, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, ESV). God will always be with us and will provide for our needs, and with that, we can be content.
Make It Personal: Take a few minutes today to intentionally note the ways God has blessed your life. Any time you feel a twinge of jealousy, excessive desire, or even fear, remind yourself of these things and God’s faithfulness.
Pray: Dear God, thank You for all the ways You provide for us. Thank You for promising to always be with us. You are such a great and powerful God. Help me to rest in what You have given me and to continue to learn to be content. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Read: 1 Tim. 6:6-8, Phil. 4:11-12, Matt. 6:25-33
Weekly Memory Verse: “...for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” 1 Timothy 6:7, ESV