Mmmm Warm Lobster Salad with Chilli Mmmm

In Australia, we have the freshest seafood & farm produce to create amazing food!

But that’s not the only food that is mouth-watering.

At Bible College this semester, I’m eating big mouthfuls of the New Testament.

⁶ 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 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men 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.

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might for ever. Amen.

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:3-19

For many people, the “love of money” is the most important goal in their lives.

To them, money is a liquid form of power giving people “security and control”.

Recently the Global Financial Crisis shattered this security showing we are not in control.

Millions lost their jobs as major countries went into recession.

Everyone lost money as this Crisis affected investments across the globe.

Some lost their life savings and homes showing the uncertainty of wealth.

In the Bible passage above, Paul contrasts “contentment” with the “love of money”.

Paul was teaching a young man Timothy about how to lead a church.

Paul gave up a promising career and devoted his life to sharing Jesus with the world.

He had no permanent home, little money and few possessions.

Yet he found the secret of contentment by trusting God to provide his daily needs.

Paul was happy with basic needs: food & clothing.

He warned Timothy against the “love of money” as a trap to avoid.

Fast forward 2000 years later and Paul’s teaching is still so relevant today.

An Australian bank’s slogan several years ago was “Whoever dies with the most: Wins”.

How stupid?!? We cannot take our accumulated wealth with us when we die.

Money does not prevent us from dying either – we cannot buy eternal life.

Wealth gives us a “false sense of security” as we nervously watch global stock markets.

So what is the alternative?

Trust God with your life and build up treasures in heaven instead.

Place your hope in Him and nurture spiritual relationships that are everlasting.

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness and take hold of eternal life.

Be generous with your money and share your possessions with others.

Money itself is not evil, but we are always tempted to be greedy and want more.

God knows that we need money in this world and provides everything for our enjoyment.

But the “love of money” is so insidious causing us to be discontent with our lives.

Society attitudes & pervasive advertising pressures us to buy more in order to be happy.

Don’t believe the lie that money buys happiness.

Experience God’s love now so that you can “take hold of life that is truly life”.

What do you love in life and where do you find happiness?

Who will you trust when you lose your wealth and/or job during the next economic downturn?

Are you living life to the full?

Is God challenging you to give up wealth/security so that you can share Jesus with the world?

mmmm Bible mmmm

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