"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
1 Timothy 6:8
Part 1
How much money would it take to make you happy? An article[1] I read recently claims that the magic number for most people is $75,000 a year. Less than that and people are not as happy. This number was chosen because at this level, “most Americans” can pay their bills and have some money left over at the end of the month. Interestingly, the article goes on to say that if $100,000 to over $175,000 is earned, a person would be wealthier, but not necessarily any happier. This is how the world looks at happiness and money. Can you really put a price tag on happiness? Is this “living by faith?” The Bible way is so much better! Paul had the right idea.
“And having food and raiment.”
If you boil down life to the bare necessities, here they are, food and clothing. Here are two real basic needs for survival. Food provides our sustenance. Without it, we would eventually die. Most of us reading this are a long way away from death by malnutrition. Unlike our brothers and sisters in many third-world countries who see starvation daily, we have been blessed to live in a land of plenty. Food is not scarce in the US yet, as it will be before the Lord returns (read through the book of Revelation). Food is not hard to find here.
The word “raiment” is not used much today, but the original word in the New Testament means, “a covering, [specifically] clothing” [2] (Thayer). People living outside of the tropics would not live long through the frozen winter without clothing. Our clothing covers us and protects us from the elements. Yes, unlike many in today’s society who do not wear much, we believers are taught from the scriptures to don clothing for both modesty and protection. Clothing is a need.
God says He will provide for our needs. Question is, as He provides for us, are we content with what He supplies? Come back tomorrow and we will discuss this further.
[1] “How Much is Enough” by Sierra Black. Published September 16, 2010 (updated May 27, 2019). Downloaded: September 19, 2019. From: https://www.getrichslowly.org/how-much-is-enough-on-average-about-75000-per-year/.
[2] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.