The Ministerial Alliance Minute

By Pastor Brian Johnson, First Baptist Church, Winnie

  Every year when January rolls around, I start thinking about what goals or resolutions I should make. Without fail, I almost always try to come up with some sort of side hustle to make more money or a way to save more of what I make. Next, I begin to think about purchases that might bring joy and contentment. Eventually, I get around to diet and exercise, telling myself that this is the year I’m going to turn my health around.

  While these goals may seem good and even noble, I have to stop and ask an important question: are these really what God wants me—or for that matter, us—to pursue? What would it look like if we took God’s Word seriously and applied it to the way we set our priorities, especially at the beginning of a new year? No promises on my results, but I’m going to give it a try.

  “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:6-11 CSB