Pray:
Lord, You are everything and worthy of all my devotion. Thank You for all You have poured out. Help me hold back nothing.
Read:
1 Timothy 6:3-10
Reflect:
What does your spending say about your values?
False teachers (1:3,4; 4:1,2) are stirring up trouble in the church (4) and finding ways to "get rich quick" out of what they do (5). So Paul grabs the moment to teach about right attitudes toward possessions.
Let's get practical. Fetch your wallet or purse. Dump out any bills or coins you have in it, and then spread out your debit and credit cards. Spend a few silly moments telling them all: "I don't love you. I really don't."
Now read verses 6 to 10 again. This isn't advice to the rich but to the not-so-wealthy who are trying to be "godly." That's probably you and me! Jot down what these two sets of verses say about us and material possessions: verses 7 and 8 and verses 9 and 10.
Fold up your jottings and place them in your purse or wallet to remind you. Some Christians I know don't ask "How much money can I get?" but instead "How little can I get by with?" That's their guiding principle for keeping things in perspective.
Apply:
Journal about your spending. Talk to God about what needs to be set right in your heart and follow his leading.
Pray:
Jesus, You are all I need. You make every provision for my life. I trust in You.
