“—a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance
 of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith
content.” 1 Timothy 6:8

A little simple food, and plain clothing, and humble
shelter—this is all that man really needs. Outward
things can neither make a man happy or miserable.
Ahab was discontented on a king’s throne.
Paul and Silas were happy in a dungeon.

    Nature is content with little;
    grace is content with less.
    Luxury is seldom satisfied;
    lust is never satisfied.

If we have but little in this world, we may content
ourselves with the reflection, that it is safer to have
little than much. Many have been ruined by prosperity.
Many have gone to hell splendidly clothed, and who
lived each day in luxury!

Very wise was the prayer of Agur, “Give me neither
poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
Proverbs 30:8

Christians should be content, because time is short;
and if time is short, trouble cannot be long! “Weeping
may endure for a night—but joy comes in the morning!”
These light afflictions are but for a moment—and then
comes an eternal weight of glory! The Christian is
traveling down a rough and dirty piece of road; but
he is going home—to his glorious heavenly home!
This is the true secret of finding happiness in a miserable world.
–By Gorham Abbott, 1833

“The Word of the Lord endureth forever!” 1 Peter 1:25

Men often make promises to others, on which the others depend—perhaps staking all their interests and happiness on the promise given to them, only to find at last that the promises have been forgotten. But God’s least Word is sure and eternal. When a soul takes any divine promise, and builds a fabric of hope upon it, sooner might the stars fall from heaven, than that God should forget his Word or fail to make it good.

An English nobleman, walking in the country one day, found a little child in distress. She had broken her pitcher, and her family were poor, and the vessel could not be replaced. The good man put his hand in his pocket to find some money to give the child—but had not a penny. Then he bade her meet him tomorrow at the same place, at the same hour, promising to bring her money to buy a new pitcher. The child ran away very happy, reposing perfect confidence in the stranger’s word to her.

Tomorrow he was invited to dine with the queen at the very hour of his appointment with the child. But he promptly declined the invitation. He would not fail in his word, even to an unknown child of poverty. She had trusted him, and his promise had made her happy. He would not disappoint her for a thousand dinners with royalty! Will God be less faithful to his Word? No Word he has spoken shall ever be broken!–J. R. Miller

Around the turn of the century in rural Tennessee an old man crippled with arthritis was very faithful in his assembling with the saints. Twice on Sunday and on Wednesday nights a little girl watched from her window as the old man with his cane painfully made his way down to the little church on the corner. One Sunday morning following a snow storm, the little girl ran to her window and looking out exclaimed, “Surely the old man will not go to church this morning.” But there he was, right on schedule, plodding very cautiously through the snow.

The little girl could not contain herself any longer. She just had to visit the little church to see what possibly could be there that would bring the old man out on such an inclement morning. The rest is history. The little girl was impressed by the services there that morning and a short time later became a Christian. After high school she enrolled in a Christian college and while there she met a fine young Christian boy whom she later married. To this union a son was born who was to become one of the finest gospel preachers. This brother during his ministry has literally led thousands to Christ.

The old man went to his reward never realizing just what an impact he had made for the cause of Christ. Because of his godly influence many will go into heaven with him. There can be no greater joy than to reach heaven and to her someone say, “I am here because you have shown me the way.”(copied)

Some of you have children and grandchildren—you better stop and think about where your example is leading them. We only get one chance to get it right and we are accountable for our actions. Hopefully we will lead them to Christ.