I’ve always struggled with being content. I’ll admit it. I love shopping and having stuff. While preparing for this trip, I packed the bare necessities which was hard for me. I have begun to miss my stuff from home. My clothes, regular makeup, hair products, computer, books, car. You name it; I’ve probably missed it. Back home in Colorado, I have so many material items at my fingertips, and if I don’t have them, I can easily get in my car already filled with gas (most of the time) and drive to the store to buy them. Now I walk the streets of Nicaragua and see the reality of poverty. Seeing this material poverty daily has been a reality check and has had me thinking about stewardship. Two sections of scripture came to mind…
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or wanting.” Philippians 4:12
- “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Dear God, I know what it is to have plenty. So let me learn to be content and use how you have blessed me to bless others. Let me seek you to discover how I can best love and provide for others using the gifts you’ve given me.
