The greatest lesson any Christian can learn is contentedness. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” It is the lesson that every person needs to learn in their life. Children need to learn it. Teens need to learn it. ADULTS need to learn it. Accepting and appreciating what you already have is great gain for the Christian; however, let me brag about the goodness of God.
Our God is shown throughout the scriptures to be a God of “more”. He gave the Israelites mana in the morning and meat in the afternoon as they escaped Egypt, but there’s more. He made their shoes and clothes to never wear out, but wait there’s more. He kept them safe from danger or sickness as they traveled, but wait there’s more. God gave Israel countless blessings in their journey from Egypt to Canaan. He always goes above and beyond what we ask or need.
I. Much More Care
Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more cloth you, O ye of little faith?
This should go without saying, but we need to be reminded that we are the focus of God’s attention and care. This world and universe is so vast that it would be easy to erroneously think that God has no time for us, but the opposite is true. God cared so much for you that he drew you with lovingkindness Jer. 31:3, he knows your physical self inside and out Psalms 139:16, hairs are all counted Luke 12:7, and even your tears are accounted for Psalm 56:8. God sent his ONLY begotten Son to die for you. A teen girl was being led to the Lord by my wife. She said she did not know how God could love her. It does not matter what we think. God loves and cares MUCH MORE for us!
II. Much More Given
Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Jesus’ simple lesson on prayer is still the foundation of all teaching and preaching on the subject. Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. After this, Jesus tells us something that makes the promise even greater. What we can reasonably expect from those who care about us here on earth is far less than what God, who cares much more for us, is willing to grant us. Everyone’s relationship is different, but imagine the most spoiled person you know. Their parent’s will buy them anything, give them everything, and brag on them constantly. God is willing to give MUCH MORE to them that ask him. Whatever your expectation is when you have a need, God is willing to give much more, because God is a much more kind of giver.
III. Much More Life
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for the steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Men have sought for thousands of years for eternal life. The fountain of youth, immortality, and many more legends have been told throughout history. The Bible offers to us freely what men have spent their whole lives looking for and never found: Eternal life. I truly believe that the life lived for God is the richer, more fuller life. You can plainly see that what the thief (the devil) offers only has poor endings. Theft, death, and destruction are the ends of sin and their limited time of pleasure. Jesus offers much more. He offers life more abundantly. Those who decide to live their life for the Lord will hear many times what they will miss out on, and how they will not get the blessings people think they will get otherwise. The truth that can be seen in the lives of those who have walked God’s path tells a contrary story. Living your life for Jesus will grant you blessings beyond your earthly expectations. You will have MUCH MORE life through Jesus.
Jesse McCammon
Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church
Flora, IL
http://www.floracalvarybaptist.com/
