What are we to be content with? What is the Biblical view of a godly standard of living? Paul says, For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6:7-8) We are to be content with food and clothing. This means exactly what it says. It does not say, "having food, clothing, a house, and a car to get to work." It says, "having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." Those who are not content simply with food and clothing are in disobedience to God. And, immediately after verse 8 Paul writes, But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:9) Those who are not content with food and clothing, but desire to be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. Being content is imperative to godly living and eternal life (Luke 14:33). As it is written, Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) We are to be content with "such things as [we] have." In other words, whatever we presently possess (tois parousin), we should be content with this. This "such things as you have" can be ever so much or ever so little, as Paul wrote, Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11-12) Paul was content with an abundance, and with being in need. He was content in "whatever state" he was. This not only included being hungry at times, but even thirsty, poorly clothed, and homeless. As Paul wrote, To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. (1 Corinthians 4:11) Paul was, in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness (2 Corinthians 11:27) and yet he was content! Paul clearly was without covetousness (Hebrews 13:5). He worked with his own hands and provided for his own needs (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9), or other saints gave and helped meet his needs (Philippians 4:10-18). He was content with such things as he had (Hebrews 13:5), be that ever so little. Paul was akin to those whom the world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:27-28). And Paul is our example. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. (Philippians 3:17; see also 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9) The God of peace will be with those who follow Paul's example, and his example is to be content in whatever state we are in (Philippians 4:11-12). Owe no one anything (Romans 13:8) is truly to be lived out. Are you unwilling to be destitute? Are you unwilling to be afflicted and tormented? Are you unwilling to wander about in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth? Then you are unworthy to be ranked among the people of faith (Hebrews 11:37-38; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33). Faith, faith in God, is what it takes to live this out (Hebrews 11:6). This faith is something Jesus wondered if there would be any of when He returned (Luke 18:8). To be truly content with what you have and not go beyond your present resources ("such things as you have") and become indebted to a lender (Proverbs 22:7), this takes faith and a heart that is not covetous (Hebrews 13:5). For if a person was content with what he had, believed that God would never forsake him (Hebrews 13:5), and trusted God for His provision (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-34), then he would not be enslaving himself to someone (Proverbs 22:7) for more money (Hebrews 13:5). Besides, any willful debt is presuming upon tomorrow. How do you know you will be able to pay in the future on a sum of money you are incapable of paying for today? Proverbs 27:1 says, Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (see also James 2:13-14) Now, if we have no choice in the matter, if under some circumstance we become indebted against our will, such indebtedness would not be a lack of contentment and covetousness. In fact, indebtedness is not in and of itself evil (1 Corinthians 6:12). The question is; why do you owe (Romans 13:8)? Because you are unwilling to suffer as Paul and be content (Hebrews 13:5) with the lot God has given you (Job 2:10)? If so, this is not a good reason.
You are twisting and omitting what the Bible says. God says - “Owe no one anything except to love one another.” (Romans 13:8) Romans 13:8 is a simple, plain, straightforward command. But, because men are covetous (Proverbs 27:20) they argue against this verse to find room for their greedy hearts (2 Peter 2:14). False Churches, Bible Colleges, and "Christian" Ministries often have incredible amounts of money that they owe to the banking institutions of the world. Their debts exist because they are not content with what they have (Hebrews 13:5). They want more money (Ephesians 5:5). So they covet and acquire debt. The way of righteousness is not so. The Lord says to owe no one anything, and He means it. Romans 13:8 is consistent with the type of life Paul commands in 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12. But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. Proverbs 22:7 says, The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.3 One who is indebted to another is in servitude (indebtedness), and the Scripture commands, You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians 7:23) This is particularly bad when "Christians" proclaim, "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1; more literally, "I shall not lack"). Yet, in hypocrisy, they want (or think they "lack") and put themselves in debt. It is particularly evil when God instructs to be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5), but, in disobedience to this command, people are malcontent, want more, borrow, and become a slave to whomever they are indebted. Such servitude is a consequence of covetousness (Hebrews 13:5). And this is serious, because the covetous will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5-6).
I had to laugh - I'm one of those "old folks" that hated giving up my flip phone, and simply refuse to learn all the bells and whistles! I use my phone to make calls, send texts, and sometimes take a picture! I was dragged, kicking and screaming, into downloading the Uber app - just to get from the train station to the hospital my husband is at in Omaha . . . because there simply isn't much of a taxi service any more!
I Suppose if you are on foot most of the time and off the roads. no cell signal. hikers, back packers. but its Mostly about being able to navigate in an Analogue way IF the Digital Devices fail you.
I'm 60 and when I was growing up on the the farm we had lots of dirt roads lots of both kinds of stickers sand burrs and goat heads dad had to put tubes in our bicycle tires because they would poke through the tire and ruin it even through heavy duty knobby tires (I'm from Western Kansas)
I would add that the IRS will require a new form filed for new LLC's or fines are $500 /day. With old LLCs we have til 2025. At least this applies to Investment Properties
Heard about you through Economic Ninja channel! Thanx for the content/info- I like cleaning weapons and had a thought Like this other day👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #Timing
And now UN is having meetings with US mayors to gives all blacks reparations in the US, already 100 are signed on to give and right behind that US is in the beginning stages of legally binding frame work loss and damage fund to start giving reparations to all countries for climate damage US consumerism has caused. UN climate change channel for more of where your taxes will be going as u pick up more side hussles.
