Seek Contentment in God
Open Your Bible
1 Timothy 6:3-10, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Luke 12:13-34
BY Patti Sauls
It looked like Buddy was running for his life. Alone in his cage, our stout, honey-colored hamster raced on his wheel as fast as his stubby legs would take him. Poor guy! That flimsy wheel shook as Buddy wore himself out, running nowhere fast.
In today’s reading, Paul urged pastor Timothy to confront the false teachings that tempted his young church to run nowhere fast. Paul warned him specifically about those who “imagine that godliness is a way to material gain” (1Timothy 6:5). Timothy must reject the lie that promised financial blessing in exchange for faithfulness. Pursuing godliness—centering our lives on Jesus’s words and ways—should not be used to gain wealth. The Christian life is not about manipulating God for a stronger financial portfolio.
Here’s what this lie still offers us today: a hamster wheel. It tells us to hop on and run for our lives. On the wheel, we’re motivated by greed and powered by desperation. We compare and we judge. We envy and we covet. We don’t just want what others have; we want more. If we attempt to be obedient, we harbor resentment and expect payback. We may not consciously say it, but in our hearts we insist, “I work hard and play by the rules. I go to church. Heck, I even tithe. God owes me.”
But here’s the truth: God cannot be bought. Even if we do experience financial success, it will never be enough. “The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Money never delivers the deep contentment we crave. We keep running, always on the chase for more, yet never truly satisfied.
Why do our hearts wrestle with money? Having money in the bank is not the problem. But letting money have its way in my heart is. Loving and worshiping our accumulation of stuff, status, and security reveals our desire to seize control, assert independence, and reject God’s supremacy by declaring our own. Back on the hamster wheel we go, striving to be god of a flimsy kingdom of our own making.
True gain is found when we reject these lies. Contentment grows as we humbly center our lives on Jesus Christ because He has already secured our eternal identity and status. He is enough. We can be motivated by gratitude instead of greed, powered by delight instead of desperation. Resisting that shaky wheel is so much easier said than done. Our pride and insecurity tell us to run for our lives, to accumulate all we can. Can we admit that we’ll be tempted to hop back on again? We will. And, when we do, let’s lovingly remind each other that we can jump right off because Christ always catches us. To rest in Him, friends, is our greatest gain (1Timothy 6:6).
57 thoughts on "Seek Contentment in God"
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Godliness WITH contentment is GREAT GAIN….
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God provided for my son and I when it was just the two of us. He was faithful! I was self employed with no benefits, and had a child with a terminal disease. I paid the medical bills on payment plans. I wanted Tanner in a christian school and managed to do that. We had a nice home. Was it scary at times, yes. But God always came through. Fast forward and He blessed me with the most generous successful husband. Who jumped on board and donated generously to further research for Tanner’s illness. He is a Godsend. I’ve trusted God to provide and He has. Was it always easy no…I also believe to hold onto things loosely. My parents house burned down and my father died in the fire. Things truly do not matter. Is it okay to have them, yes. Just remember they can disappear at any given moment.
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Such a good devotional today. The Lord always teaches us in depth about money. I heard a faithful man of God (someone in Colorado that opened a Bible college) and I looked up to him so much, he said Jesus taught his disciples on money more than faith. This shows what a big snare money can be to God’s children. Truly we can’t both serve God and Money. We must choose God over money and place our heart where our treasure/God is. A few years back when we got our first home, being newlyweds, with college loan, in a new city, still looking for jobs, and me soon pregnant with our first son, God was faithful to provide, to give us approval from lenders, and a sweet home on top of /above our humble budget range. Then He was faithful to help us pay mortgage with one income when we had the 2nd baby. He was faithful. He knew our fears. We did believe in the lie, what if God wouldn’t come through. Etc. BUT GOD was 100% faithful. And He provided a bigger home with an extra bedroom to accommodate our 3rd baby. He was faithful. Faithful. Through rejections of lender came, different complex requirements arose, Covid prolonged, isolation continued, but He made it happen against all odds. He said persist, and we moved in to a home beyond our expectations, with good school district nearby. Remember you are more important than the birds and the wild flowers out there for which God cared for. Do not worry. To anyone who struggles with finance, please do not worry. Pray to Him. It will be all right. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Fear not, it is your Father’s pleasure to give you His Kingdom, and every good and precious gift. May we let go of the earthly treasure to seek the ONE, and all the add-ons will come. He knows our needs. He wants our heart to desire the right thing. Be strengthened in the Lord sisters. He is enough. Hallelujah.❤️
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Beautiful, thank you Dorothy!
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WOW!!! WOOW!!! Patti just really “knocked it out of the park” with this devotional. I wrote down so much of it to remember. But there were three points that really stood out to me (I underlined them): “But here’s the truth: God cannot be bought.” “He is enough.” “To rest in Him, friends, is our greatest gain (1Timothy 6:6).” She and the Scripture really got me thinking about how much emphasis I put on money and status. The status part I’ not so concerned about but the money part I am. I know I need to keep trusting in God and Christ but that’s hard at times.
Sisters, this is a prayer that was in my devotional Bible on the page with today’s reading in 1 Timothy, I thought many of you might appreciate it. “Dear God, Provide for Your daughter’s needs. Remind her of the many times You have been faithful to her in the past, and help her give You her worries . In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Be blessed and remember God has “your back”.
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This is a great reminder, thank you Patti Sauls.
Sometimes I get caught up in the chase and the hamster wheel of life. Then I lose my footing and sometimes spin out of control, as I have seen some hamsters do too. I need to remember that in our family business, the focus is not on what we can have but the positive impact we can create for others and how we can lead them to Jesus through that. My heart yearns to help people but sometimes my eyes wander to the life that my husband and I could have if we move our business forward. If I can just remember JOY (Jesus, Others, You) and prioritize our business goals that way, then we will truly stay in peace and joyful as He guides us to others to help. Prayers for patience in God’s timing are truly appreciated.
Thank you ladies for the prayers for my husband’s mystery “bites,” we did a deep clean of our bedroom and he’s back to sleeping in our bed, and has not had any bites since! Praise God! I am still getting hives outbreaks almost every day, and still need to get a better handle on my eating choices and avoiding potential allergy foods. Please continue to pray that I have more discipline as I navigate this mystery. Thank you in advance, and have a blessed Wednesday.
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Lifting all in prayer and giving thanks for each of you. An aside, have you received your new study books, they are beautiful! Have a peace filled day.
ps. Churchmouse, I loved your Alice story yesterday.
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Hmm….. there’s a bank called “Chase”. As I read through this wonderful Devo, my heart my mind never want to get to that place. I may not have everything, but I have what I “need”. And with transparency and humbleness I’m asking to please pray as I’m really trying to pay off some debt. And it wasn’t because I was chasing.. One more thing… Almost every morning I thank God for my bed. My good friend G blessed me with that bed a few months back because I was sleeping on the couch. God is so good. He definitely provides.
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