I Timothy 6:8

1 Tim 6:8 “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

I cannot think of a better interpretation to expound on this verse than Jesus's own words in Matt 6:25-33 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Our Father loves and provides for us just as He loves and provides for all of His creation. If we need food and it is His will for us to remain on the earth, He will provide us food. If we need clothing and it is His will that we don't freeze to death, He will provide us clothing. The sun still shines on the righteous and the wicked alike because of how faithfully God cares for His creation. My only goal in life is to glorify God, and I will be content with what He has provided. For a practical application, Noah gave me the great idea that I should find an opportunity to give away some clothing. This may open the door to share the gospel in love.

~Jeremy

I Timothy 6:8 reminds me that there is a difference between appreciation of the things I have and thankfulness to God for the things He has clearly give me. I Timothy 6:7 made me realize that I really grasp too tightly to the things of this world, showing God that I would rather serve God’s creations rather than the creator. I can believing the lie that it’s okay to ‘appreciate’ the gift, talents, and things God has given when really I have feelings above gratitude. And most of this gratitude is not directed to God where all things come from. I love Psalm 28:6-7, “Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication, the LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him and I am helped, Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” These verse sounds like David is saying to the Lord, Blessed are you because you heard my requests. How great that David was thankful because God heard him, not just because He helped him. In that Psalm David also says his heart trusts in God and that he is helped, resulting in rejoicing and thanksgiving. If I am not content and thankful about the food and covering God has repeatedly provided beyond need then I am saying I do not trust Him and that I would rather put my trust in the things of this world.

Getting rid of 90% of my belongings as we came down to IGNITE was hard, but I know it was less hard knowing that God had so clearly made an intricate and exciting way for us. I am really thankful that God gave me that peace needed to get rid of many of our things so that I can look back to that time throughout the rest of my life and say “God blessed are you because you heard our requests.” I want to begin every run with a quick thank you to God for all things He has given me so that I can learn to be content with even less that I have now.

~Kristin