Gifts to Get Excited About
Be Content – Part 1

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 6:8-10

Key Verse: Luke 3:14

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely–be content with your pay.”

As John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, he blazed away in his straight forward preaching.  The crowds came and many responded to his message.  We have looked at two groups that were in those crowds: One was the common lay people and another group was the tax collectors.  There was a third group in that crowd that Luke tells us about: soldiers.  I’m sure that anytime a large crowd gathered, the Roman government would send soldiers to make sure a riot didn’t break out or a revolt against the government didn’t start.

As John preached, some soldiers were impacted by the message; God got through to them.  Our printed key verse tells us that they asked: “What should we do?”  John spoke to them, with God’s help, right to where most of them struggled: Extorting money; never being content.  These instructions, of course, paved the way for Jesus’ message of living each day, without worry…our Father knows what we need (Matthew 6:25-34).

The teachings of Jesus led the Apostle Paul to write that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).  John the Baptist was “setting the table” for Jesus; getting people ready to eat the good “food” of the kingdom of God.  Jesus left heaven to walk on earth, teaching a new way to view and do life!  Enjoying each day and being content was part of the message Jesus would soon bring.

Father, help me not to worry over my tomorrows.  I want to enjoy this day that you have made for me.  In Jesus’ name, amen.