Michael Druckenmiller Sr.
1Ti 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
You ask a hard thing, Lord!
There are so many "Gadgets" to "acquire"...
This verse is in the middle of...
1Ti 6:5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
Know any televangelists like that? Good Grief! Most of the "believers" I come into contact with have some form of an 'askewed' "Prosperity" as a *core* doctrine.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
But, properity in this world's "gadgets" means nothing without Godliness, ie., God-like-ness. He has said that He is not willing that *any* should perish. Hmmmm. Am I? Are we showing God-Like-Ness towards those around us. Or, is it the "accutrements" of Godliness we are seeking.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But, there is something we take with us... A heart toward God or a Heart toward the things of this world.
The rest of the passage is a bit scary for those of us with a "gadget" addiction that can only properly be whetted by wealth.
But, I have to ask myself... What or Who, am I really seeking...
My response:
That turns into a very interesting study.
vs 17 unlocks the door to understanding- "...God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
It's the thoughts and intents of the heart that need to be examined.
It started with the first commandment to have nothing before God. The tenth commandment is related in that desiring things can consume the thoughts and desires of the heart.
If you love God you will hate the lust for goods; if you desperately cling to money and desire more, you will despise God- Luke 16:13
Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them." - Mark 7:15
He went on: "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person's HEART, that evil THOUGHTS come--sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, GREED, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person." - Mark 7:20-23
...who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17b
There is a false teaching/doctrine that christians HAVE to be poor. As I said, that is false.
Notice the abundance here-
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your HEARTS hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?" - Mark 8:17-21
Jesus was trying to make them understand several things; after all, that topic started a few verses earlier with a warning about false teachings/doctrines...
Ponder the water into wine... that had nothing to do with necessity at all.... think about that....
This is old testament, but perfectly ontopic-
...no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11
Jesus told us quite plainly-
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:30-31
Matthew 6:24-34 - towards the end - ...ALL these THINGS will be given to you...
So when God says He will give us EVERYTHING for our ENJOYMENT, gadgets are included.
It's not the gadgets that will condemn you, it's their priority in your life. If it bothers you, repent, and then ask God to show you if there is an issue or not; "if any of you lacks wisdom... (James 1:5)
I just happened to be studying a similar line of thought in the scriptures when I saw this post. You helped me focus my studies... thanks.
Love you man....
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