Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (1 Timothy 6-10)
“I WANT!!!!”
“I WANT!!!!”
If you have ever taken a child to any place with a variety of items on offer ranging from food to toys to clothing, then the cry above is familiar to your ears. One day my two sisters and I made the cardinal mistake of taking 6 toddlers into a supermarket; we vowed NEVER to do that again. So, do the children really need most of the items they scream ‘I WANT’? The honest answer is NO. We live in a world where consumerism is rife. Most of the time we together with our children want everything that is dangled at us, everything that we do not have. Not necessarily because we need it, but because we do not have it. And what follows then is that as soon as we or our children get that item, we tick the box and start asking for the next item: it’s an insatiable hunger.
No wonder the Word of God exults us today on the virtue that is godliness with contentment. As long as you have food to eat, clothes on your back and a roof over your head then you should be content. Because failure to do so leads ultimately to destruction as you chase after the new thing you do not have. Contentment is a virtue that we need to pray for ourselves and our children as well as practice it at every given opportunity.
Question of the Day: How can you teach your child to be content today?
PRAYER
Father, we are before you today seeking your help. We ask you to help us not to fall into the trap of discontent, the desire to want more and more. Father, in the world we live in, it is so easy for us and our children to be consumed by consumerism. Father, help us and our children to be content with the gifts you have given us. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
