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IBS 16 - 1 Timothy 6:6-8

1 Timothy 6:6-8
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Being content brings great gain. It’s so hard to be content in this world. We look around and see new iPhones coming out all the time, new movies, clothes, shoes, everything. This world has done a great job at making us desire everything we don’t have and it makes us jealous. We are constantly observing others and if they have something we don’t have we pout. 
Growing up, I never had the new, cool things, and I got made fun of for it. I was pretty insecure and it made me become materialistic. I hated shopping at thrift stores and such, everything I wanted had to be brand new. I turned into a selfish girl who cared more about the things she had then the people she had. I thought having these items would make me happy and would make me fit in. But I was very wrong and struggled for a while. 
Eventually, I finally learned that material items were of no value. “We brought nothing into this world and we’ll take nothing out of it.” My best friend is not a materialistic person, and throughout the years of our friendship, she taught me not to be as well. Once I got that in my head, that worldly items are worthless, I became so content. My heart stopped searching for approval in the things I had. I was finally content.   
Being content is freeing. I don’t have to focus my whole self worth on what I wear or the items I have. Sometimes though, I still desire a new phone or top notch makeup. It’s something I have to remind myself, that the things of this world will not be going to Heaven with me. And once I remember that, I feel free again. 


Application: I’ll write “contentment” on my arm everyday for a week so that every time I start wanting things I don’t have I can be reminded to be content. 

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