Devotionals

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." (Proverbs 30:8-9 KJV) We live in a "Give Me" world but sad to say, people aren't asking God to give them what the verses above say. People say, "Give me more things, more success, more money, more, more, more." However, wanting more is a never ending cycle…it can never be fulfilled. But when we desire less "worldly things" and more godly things, we will be able to live a fulfilling life. Have you ever noticed that when you got that one thing that you thought would satisfy your desire, it didn't? Or perhaps you have everything you have ever wanted but still you have times of sadness and loneliness and a need for something else to fulfill your life and give your contentment. No matter how much we have, we will never feel contentment until we know God and have a relationship with Him. Jesus said: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33 KJV) We can grow content as we look to God as our Provider. He has promised to provide all our needs. We often focus on our wants…we focus on what we do not have instead of all that we do have. The Bible says:"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8 KJV) We need to focus on the necessities of life and at the top of that list is to live godly lives. Much of our discontentment comes from desiring what the world has to offer and what others have. And yet, when we get those things, we are still not content. We can find contentment when we learn to thank God for what we do have instead of complaining about what we don't have."Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5 KJV) We can have lots of money but without God we will never be content. Have you taken inventory recently of all that you have? Satan is the one that is directing us to focus on what we do not have so he can get us to doubt God's provision and loving care. So instead of saying, "Give me more things," ask God to help you live a godly life and to be content with what He gives you. "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37:4 KJV)