Thanksgiving service at New Creation pt 2

Title: Finances, Family and Future By Scott Marques

Text: 1 Timothy 6: 6 – 12

V 6 Paul is writing to Timothy, trying to tell him how to live. He says ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain. The life we are living is very difficult and tough. Life will get even harder. Not only is life very tough but we living in a world driven by commerce where we need money to do many things. Commerce wants to get more money from us and it’s done through advertising that makes us feel we need it. It makes us feel like we are not enough as we are and creates a strong need and want in us. We need something else to be complete. It makes us feel like we are not rich enough or beautiful enough etc. It creates a strong need and want in me. Our flesh does its own advertising through comparison hence we lose being content over finances, over relationships, life circumstances etc.

Finances, family and future are very powerful in marriage. The person who we thought was good, we become discontent with them because they don’t have enough finances, family or future. This road we are on, we don’t like it and want to change it. We want someone else’s life. This is what celebrities are all about. The Television and media paint these pictures right down to the mobile phone we have. There is Face Book in Kezi.

Paul is saying to Timothy, Godliness with contentment is great gain. We need to recognize the lie of the enemy that as hard as my life is, as imperfect as my spouse is, as tough as my future is, God has a plan for all of it. We are living a very special life. We will have food and clothing because God is in control. As hard as life is, God is providing for every single one of us. We will have enough. “Don’t be anxious about anything……..” We’ll be fine.

We are all going to die. We brought nothing into this world and we’ll take nothing from it. Our comfort on earth is not as important as we think it is. The families God put us in are His design and it’s not a mistake. Every child is conceived in the image of God. No one is a mistake. My family is my family……..for all eternity.

We need to be different. Instead of complaining, let’s be content and be thankful. We have sinned against God and against one another. We are not entitled to anything. The Bible says, the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. God uses the weak thing of this world to confound the wise. Don’t give up, don’t hold back and persevere. It’s tough for everyone but God will not test us beyond that which we are able to bear. We need to pursue His Kingdom. When I am weak, then He is strong. Godliness with contentment is great gain.

V 9 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Life has enough trouble when you are doing the right thing. Don’t do the wrong thing as we complicate things.

We need to live free lives with Godliness and contentment. Don’t think our situation is poor and we need so much more money. Money doesn’t fix anything. Whatever relationships we are in, they are precious. We need to be soft and encourage one another. Don’t treat people like they are small and insignificant. See people in the image of God. (Imago Deo) Be content. Don’t think the life path you are on is small. How I live counts the same as everyone else lives. We don’t have a small life. Each decision, attitude etc counts for eternity. Godliness with contentment is great gain.

The Kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Be content in righteousness, peace and joy. God is doing something new in Matabeleland and wants to demonstrate the glory of God. Where there is bitterness on finance, relationships etc, God will demonstrate His glory. We will know joy, peace, righteousness, provision, his calling etc.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga