“Daddy, I need some sweet tea!”
As Gloria began to beg for some of that Southern goodness, her older brother, Obadiah, stated, “Gloria, you want some sweet tea. You don’t need sweet tea.”
What a simple lesson that I need to learn.
There is a difference between what I want and what I need.
In prayer, we must constantly perform a self-investigation to determine whether what we are asking for is a need or a want. Is my request a legitimate need or is it a simple desire?
Imagine it is Christmas morning for a moment. In your home, children are eagerly waiting the opportunity to tear into presents with their names upon them. If you are a parent, you know the frustration associated with watching your children tear open one gift to behold something they have desperately asked for, and before the wrapping has time to fall to the floor, they are already reaching for the next shiny package.
There’s something in all of us like that. We do acknowledge the blessing we have. We might even give thanks for them, but somewhere along the way, we become discontented.
Food and Clothing
Read Paul’s instruction to Timothy, his son in the faith:
But godliness with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. -1 Timothy 6:6-10
What did Paul tell Timothy should be enough to make him content? Did you catch it?
With food and clothing, we should be content.
Paul never described the type of food or the worth of the clothing. If we simply have those two things, we ought to be content. We are called to free ourselves from the love of money and to be satisfied with what we have (Heb. 13:5).
While that process can be difficult, here is the secret: remember that God is your helper.
Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? -Heb. 13:5-6
Today, in your time of prayer, focus on these things:
- God, help content my soul.
- Thank you for what you have given me.
- Remind me of the sufficiency of your presence in my life.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
