Daily Devotional – July 31-August 6
July 31 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
1 Timothy 6:6-10, But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Prayer: “Jesus, let me enter in and enjoy everything about You. Let godliness be my heart’s desire. Let me be totally satisfied by Your life, love, and supply. For this is where I find my greatest gain in life. May I hold loosely to all I accumulate while I travel this earthly path. May I learn to be content if the basic provisions of life are met. Keep my heart from wanting more and more for it will lead down the wrong path to my destruction. Keep me from loving money and wandering away from You. Instead, may I lightly hold what I have in my possession so that it can be used for Your kingdom and glory. Amen.”
August 1 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:6, But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“But godliness with contentment is a great return.”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
This paragraph begins with a contrasting conjunction, “But.” The immediate verse before says, “…who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
The origin of the so-called prosperity gospel goes back to the earliest days of the church. Instead of believing that Christ is a means by which we can become wealthy, we’re to focus on becoming more like Jesus and being content with our portion in life. When we’re totally immersed in godly living and letting Christ satisfy our souls, then we find our greatest return.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
Though I may not struggle with believing that the way of Jesus is the way to wealth, I still need to be careful that I’m not seeking contentment in the wrong places. With so much stuff always in view, I can get pulled into being discontent with what I don’t have rather than enjoying what I already have.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Jesus, may You be my all in all. May I find as I journey deeper into Your riches, my heart’s total satisfaction and that I want nothing more than loving You. Amen.”
August 2 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:7, For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Write out the Scripture.
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
Observe what it is saying.
We are helpless as we are born and helpless as we die. We are born naked and may die clothed but we’re just as naked in power. We come into the world with nothing in our hands, and we leave this world as lifeless bodies regardless what we’re left holding in our hands. The material of this world doesn’t make the journey with us into the supernatural world. We work and strive for so much, but it’s only temporary and will disappear in the light of eternity.
Relate it to your life.
As I live in the middle, I need to remember my beginning, and even more, how it will all end.
Do something.
“Lord, life is short. I spend a lot of time on what isn’t eternal. Help me to make my life count for You. May the impact of my life last more than the few years that I appear on earth. Amen.”
August 3 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:8, But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Write out the Scripture.
“But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Observe what it is saying.
Because we brought nothing and will take nothing out, it goes to say that if we’re fed and clothed, we should be more than satisfied with having the basics of life. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” It was a real matter of trusting in God to provide food for each day. If we have what we need to live on, we can choose to be happy with our lot in life.
Relate it to your life.
This makes all the sense in the world, but in a land of plenty where discontentment is marketed so that I’ll purchase more and more, this is a difficult place to be. I see it. It’s available for instant purchase. I have the funds. Why not? Am I purchasing out of discontentment or out of need?
Do something.
“Jesus, learning to be content with the basics of life is such a challenge when everything is abundant and available. Wean my heart from stuff. I choose to stuff my heart with You. Amen.”
August 4 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:9, Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
Write out the Scripture.
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Observe what it is saying.
When we continue to seek and search for more, this is the most harmful outcome. Those who are set on becoming wealthy reveal they have been lured by Satan’s bait and have become trapped with ungodly desires. The ultimate result is spiritual calamity. Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve both God and money. It’s one or the other.
Relate it to your life.
I need to honestly ask myself if I’ve been lured and trapped by Satan with love for the material world over my love for Jesus.
Do something.
“Jesus, I confess the pull for the material world is strong. I ask that You would break any strongholds that it has on me. I repent and return to You today. Amen.”
August 5 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:10, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Write out the Scripture.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Observe what it is saying.
Money is not the root of all evil as some wrongly state. The love of money is one root that leads to much evil. The worst of which leaves the faith causing great eternal spiritual harm.
Relate it to your life.
If I choose money as my main pursuit in life, then I’m walking away from Jesus my Savior.
Do something.
“Jesus, lead me not into the temptation of loving money more than I love You. If I’ve already arrived there, then please deliver me out of this evil so I may spare my soul. Amen.”