File: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940526.TXT
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OUR  DAILY BREAD                       Thursday, May 26, 1994
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READ:  1 Timothy 6:6-11

                     WHAT WE DON'T NEED

           Having food and clothing, with these
                    we shall be content.

                    - 1 Timothy 5:16-21

In the fifth century, a man  named  Arsenius  determined  to
live  a holy life.  So he abandoned the comforts of Egyptian
society to follow an austere lifestyle in the  desert.   Yet
whenever  he  visited the great city of Alexandria, he spent
time wandering through its bazaars.  Asked why, he explained
that  his  heart  rejoiced at the sight of all the things he
didn't need.

Those of us who live in a society  flooded  with  goods  and
gadgets  need  to ponder the example of that desert dweller.
A typical supermarket in the United States in  1976  stocked
9,000  articles;  today it carries 30,000.  How many of them
are absolutely essential?  How many superfluous?

It's hard for us to say sincerely  with  the  apostle  Paul,
"Having  food  and clothing, with these we shall be content"
(1 Tim. 6:8).  In our constant battle against seductive  ma-
terialism  of  our  culture, let's follow the example of Ar-
senius.  As we walk through the markets and shopping  malls,
we  too  can rejoice at the sight of all the things we don't
need.

That's only the first step, however.  The next  step  is  to
become  much more wise in our spending, more generous in our
giving to others, and more sacrificial  with  the  resources
God has given to us.

Author:  Vernon C. Grounds

Lord, make me truly wise, I pray,
Contented  with  my  lot;
Help me to shun all earthly things
That soon will be forgot.
                    - Henry G. Bosch

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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Contentment isn't getting what we want
   but being satisfied with what we have.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Psalms 136-138

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio
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