“Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
1 Timothy 6:3-14 NLT
It used to be that in western culture, issues of character were seen as great pursuits. What grew the character was always appreciated and the ideas of temperance and integrity were known as virtues. This is in direct contrast to the fleeting virtues of finiteness which extol quick and physical outcomes or means. Christianity stand in direct opposition to the pursuit of sex, money or fame. We learn through Christ that where feeding the appetite of the body only grows its hungers, pushing against them grows the character of the person. When self control is applied to lust, love can be born. When it is applied to bitterness, peace can be attained. Paul notes that once we come to stop hungering but instead come to peace with what we have been provided, we have a great wealth. Indeed, the muscle that is used to be content in the face of temptation for earthly virtues, provides Christians with a type of unmatched strength and resolve that makes them more wealthy than anyone with a limitless tap to fill their earthly appetites. We need to return to seeing this strength as one of the most valuable virtues. We need to add it to the essential nobility of the Christian creature. We need to pursue it with great prejudice.
JOSH McGARY.COM 