Show Notes
In this episode of Formed for Faithfulness, Case Thorp reflects on Paul’s call to contentment from 1 Timothy 6: “godliness with contentment is great gain.” In a world shaped by consumerism and the endless pursuit of more, how do we resist the rat race and fight the good fight of faith?
Through Scripture readings from 1 Timothy 6, Amos 6, and Luke 16:19-31, and a heartfelt prayer by Pastor Scotty Smith, we are reminded that the love of money leads to ruin, but trusting God brings true life. Case challenges us to recognize the subtle influence of advertising, embrace gratitude, and live generously as Christ calls us.
If you’ve ever struggled with comparison, discontent, or the pull of consumer culture, this devotional offers encouragement to anchor your hope in God alone.
Nuance’s Formed for Faithfulness is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
Welcome to Formed for Faithfulness in this 16th week of normal time. Once again, we take a few moments to reflect on our need for God’s enlightening of our minds, stirring of our hearts, and ordering of our steps as we seek to walk in His ways and in the light of His salvation.
God’s Word coming to us in Paul’s first letter to Timothy beginning in chapter six, verse six.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
You’ve probably heard the definition of the “rat race” as people spending money they don’t have to buy things they don’t need to keep up with people they don’t like. We laugh, most of us quietly thinking to ourselves, well, that’s describing other people, not us, of course. But let’s pause for a moment to consider Paul’s call to contentment. Because just as fish don’t know they are wet, we can lose sight of the consumerist sea in which we swim, a culture that is predicated on encouraging dissatisfaction. Advertisers and influencers bombard us with messages telling us that our life would be better if we wore this or had that. Even if we don’t overtly pursue great riches, we’re being tugged to have enough money to buy things that we don’t need. But think about the time in which Paul warned against the dangers of the love of money. What could people do with those extra denarii? Not much compared to today. No haute couture, no luxury cars, no entertainment services, no vacations. If, with their limited temptations, the New Testament church needed to be on guard against the lure of more, how much more do we have today? Am I suggesting sackcloth and ashes? No. God gave us all things richly to enjoy. But do we chase after those things we like so hard that we lose our way? Or do we just appreciate them when they come to us? A suggestion for how we might lean into Paul’s admonition: Let’s be more mindful of the hidden messages of our media. After all, “you deserve more,” was the source of the fall in Genesis. And then, maybe like a small stand against the consumerist tide where it tugs at you most. I’m thinking of a friend who likes clothes. He buys in sales, not designer brands. But recognizing that he had plenty to wear already in his wardrobe, he decided to go for a whole year without buying anything new, not even socks. No great sacrifice, but it gave room for deeper gratitude for what he already had. And gratefulness weakens the pull of the things in this world.
A reading from Amos chapter six.
1 Woe to you who are complacent in Zion,
4 You lie on beds adorned with ivory
and lounge on your couches.
You dine on choice lambs
and fattened calves.
5 You strum away on your harps like David
and improvise on musical instruments.
6 You drink wine by the bowlful
and use the finest lotions,
but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
7 Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;
your feasting and lounging will end.
A prayer of Pastor Scotty Smith, a man I’m honored to count as a friend.
Dear Heavenly Father, though it is easy for me to downplay my cash greed by comparing myself to others, seemingly much more preoccupied with getting rich than I am, nonetheless, Father, your warning about the love of money being a root of all kinds of evil is real to me. But I’m also aware of being greedy for other currencies too. When Jesus isn’t enough for me, I get greedy for control over my space, schedule, and interruptions. I get greedy for people to notice me and appreciate me. I get greedy for being included in special circles of cool and important people. I get greedy for being thought of as smart and spiritual. I get greedy for people not to be needy or have unrealistic expectations of me. So I repent, Father, and collapse upon Jesus as my righteousness and ask you, forgive me and liberate me. I want to glorify you and enjoy you more than ever. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to find my deepest satisfaction, joy, and peace in knowing, loving, and serving Jesus. Amen.
Finally, a reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 16, verses 19 through 31, the words of Jesus.
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
