Be A Good Keeper of Your Soul
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 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. 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. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The love of money has caused people to have many sorrows. Our souls are hurt because we have not cared for them well, and they could be blinded by the pursuit of riches.
The soul of man is the unrenewed part of us even though we are born-again Christians. The soul consists of the mind – part of the brain, intellect, thinking, and evaluation; the emotions – feelings, desires, and mood; and the will – decision and volition.
We are the keepers of our soul. How we think, manage our emotions, and the decisions we make based on our priorities will affect our souls. Therefore, we need wisdom to ensure we make the right decisions and renew our minds with the Word so we can prosper in our souls. Our Christian values should be: God first, family second, and career third, in this order of priority and decision-making.
Dallas Willard was quoted saying, “What matters is not the accomplishments you achieve; what matters is the person you become.” *
The opening Scripture clearly warns us that there will be a snare, a trap, and many foolish and harmful lusts that will drown those people who love money in destruction and perdition—it will bring about much sorrow.
New jobs often carry the unspoken expectation that we must sacrifice time with our family and loved ones. With increased pay comes pressure. If you do not stand firm on what is important to you, you will succumb to their demands and sacrifice time with the Lord and your family. We may argue and complain about our lives while still clinging to the lifestyle. Sorrow, resentment, and anger will infiltrate our lives. Our soul may not prosper, even if our finances are thriving.
Godliness with contentment means making adjustments to ensure our lives align with the values and priorities we have established.
Reflection: Are you being a good keeper of your soul as you climb the corporate ladder or build your business? What kind of person will you become by the end of this pursuit?
*Soul Keeping – Caring For The Most Important Part Of You by John Ortberg
Sermon Series: Is Money Evil
