Steadfast Unto the End

Introductory questions to chew

How well do I honor (visibly and in my heart) those to whom I am accountable?

What evidence exists that I value "the name of God and his doctrine"?

"He is proud" -- would such a description alarm me if it were applied to me?

"Godliness with contentment" -- what's with that? And what does one have to do with the other?

What is my own perspective of wealth, money, gain...and stuff?

"Flee these things" -- how and why and when...and did I yesterday?

Am I committed to being one who will "lay hold on eternal life" rather than one who "will be rich"?

"I give thee charge...keep this commandment" -- which one? And how would I summarize it?

Nothing In; Nothing Out

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Timothy 6:7).

I am surrounded by things here in my office. Outside this office are myriad more things. Many belong to me, yet they make no perceptible dent in the total supply of things available.

And nothing of the material things I own or could own will go with me into eternity. Nothing. All of it stays behind, eventually to become consumed by man or God.

May God deliver me from attachments to and yearnings for any thing in this life.

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness" (Isaiah 55:2).

Speaking of yearnings and attachments...

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10).

I need money.

Lots of it.

But how do I work for it without coveting after it?

If I don't get the answer right, I won't stand steadfast to the end.