Living Room Study

1st Timothy 6

“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, Who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come so that they may take hold of life that is real.”  1 Timothy 6: 17-19

No matter what time of the year it is, it’s always good to think about Christmas!  Remember Christmas mid-morning, growing up?  I’m not talking about Christmas “morning”, where you ran into the living room and ripped through wrapping paper.  I’m talking about an hour later, after you got dressed and went to the sidewalk to meet up with your friends to see what THEY got for Christmas!

One of my childhood friends was Jeff.  Jeff always had the best of everything.  His parents were rich, so he had to practically machete through dense layers of presents to reach the Christmas tree.  I was lucky to get three gifts…including the yearly underwear & socks package from my grandmother.

Two cool things about Jeff: he always complemented whatever I got, and he let me play with all his stuff!!!  We’d meet on the sidewalk, mid-morning.  I would be holding a football.  He’d have Dallas Cowboy tickets…then he’d invite me to the game.  He was rich in money, but also generous and rich in good works.

Years later, I heard that Jeff’s dad lost all his money in a stock market crash.  Wealth is uncertain, like that.  I wondered how their family coped with living on an average income.  I know they went to church, so I hope they drew strength from that community of believers. 

This year, when the season arrives, and before we share what we got for Christmas, how ‘bout letting people know how much they mean to us?  For that matter, why wait for Christmas?  Let’s praise the Lord for getting us through another year, and for giving us hope for the future.  Take hold of what’s real in life and set your hope on God, Who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins