April 14
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THE ROOT OF DISCONTENT
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:7-10
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In this letter of Paul to Timothy, he emphasizes the root of discontent. In verse 7, he reminds the believers that when they came into this world, they had nothing. Just think of a newborn baby, naked and without anything on him or her. That’s the best illustration of our entry into this world: “naked and has nothing.” How is it that many of us end up hoarding and not letting go of material things? As that little baby grows, he or she is provided for by her caregivers and little by little, begin to crave for something, to be comfortable and secure. As they grow into adolescence and adulthood, they begin to want more as the world system dictates. If their needs haven’t been met, there is a graver danger that they would want clamor for that thing. Once they gain it, they would want more and the cycle never ends.
Paul says in verse 8, that we can be content just as we have food and covering for ourselves. In verse 9, he exposes the root of discontent: the desire to get rich, which can bring destruction to one’s life. And in verse 10, the love of money become the source of all wickedness and longings which lead to lost faith and grief in life.
It is so true what Paul says in this letter. Once we become discontented, there is a craving underlying beneath that surface. James 1:14-15 clearly explains this concept of dissatisfaction that leads to sin. James says that each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then his desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Paul identifies another root of discontent in this letter: the love of money. Money in itself is not bad, but the longing for it is the one that leads to discontent. How many of us focus on being thankful for whatever God has provided us with? Often, we still clamor for something more because the world dictates to us these cravings and longings for possession. It ties and binds us to focus on the world and less on spiritual riches.
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REFLECTION
• How is discontent a manifestation of a heart that doesn’t seek God?