“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10, ESV)
The first verse of our scripture for today sums up the wisdom of this whole passage. Paul wrote to Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). If you read this closely, this small verse from the Bible links godliness with contentment in order to find spiritual blessing and gain. The only problem is that too many people of faith do not live with a soul intent on both godliness and contentment.
In the very book in which the scripture for today was written, Paul noted that every man of God should “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11, ESV). Paul saw godliness as a main pursuit in the spiritual and moral life. To be godly, one needs to follow God’s Spirit, heeding the gospel teachings, while pursuing holy forms of righteousness and faithfulness. Godliness simply means working and acting in ways associated with God’s law and Jesus’ example. Godliness is in opposition to godlessness. Godlessness involves living a life in opposition to God, the gospel message, and Jesus’ teachings. A person can be religious but not godly. A person can be a Christian but fail to live a godly life. You can’t be godly if you are disobedient to God in Christ. In that case, you become godless.
The first verse in our scripture also speaks of contentment as bringing “great gain” to the holy person of God. Contentment adds to and supports godliness. 1 Timothy 6:7-10 explains clearly that a person who “desires to be rich” will face “temptation”, “ruin”, and “destruction”. That is why the godly person should never be discontented with their financial situation or envious of someone who has more wealth. Why? This, too, is answered in the scripture for today: “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). Are you content with your financial blessings from God? Are you jealous of those who have a higher salary? Do you get upset when you can’t get what you want when you want it?
In a commentary on this very scripture, John MacArthur wrote that a “Love of money and contentment are mutually exclusive”. You can’t have it both ways.
“An ancient Roman proverb says, “Money is like seawater; the more you drink, the thirstier you get.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 summarizes the point this way: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money.”
History has also demonstrated that no amount of riches can compensate for a lack of contentment. Millionaire financier John D. Rockefeller said, “I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” That wealthiest of industrialists, Henry Ford, was quoted as saying, “I was happier doing mechanic’s work.””(from Strength for Today).
A priest came to a Thursday evening meeting at his parish. His week had been horrific. The priest sat by the bedside of a new mother who gave birth to a dead infant. The next day, the priest prayed with a young member of the parish who was dying while fighting for every breath. At the meeting that Thursday night, several of the members were complaining about children at Mass. One said that children were “a breeding ground for illnesses like COVID”, advocating for parents to keep sick children far away from the parish at the first little sniffle. Another committee member complained that children were making too much noise, and parents needed a reminder to keep children as quiet as possible. One committee member remarked that “children should be seen at Mass but not heard”!
As the meeting wound down and all the complaints had been uttered, the priest told the members of the committee what it was like to have a church without children, to be a mother holding a dead infant, or to be a sick child who couldn’t breathe. He ended with these words, “Don’t take these children for granted! They are a blessing from God! Yes, they take patience and love, but don’t we all? Praise God we have children in the pews!”
We all need to be reminded at times not only to be godly but to be content. Significant gain comes from God when both are found in the believer. Do you find it easier to be godly or to be content? Are you faithful but lacking contentedness with your age or occupation or income or situation? Are you content with your life but need to make more godly (and less selfish!) decisions?
True faith is always exhibited with godliness. True wealth is found in contentment, not in monetary gain.
In the very book in which the scripture for today was written, Paul noted that every man of God should “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11, ESV). Paul saw godliness as a main pursuit in the spiritual and moral life. To be godly, one needs to follow God’s Spirit, heeding the gospel teachings, while pursuing holy forms of righteousness and faithfulness. Godliness simply means working and acting in ways associated with God’s law and Jesus’ example. Godliness is in opposition to godlessness. Godlessness involves living a life in opposition to God, the gospel message, and Jesus’ teachings. A person can be religious but not godly. A person can be a Christian but fail to live a godly life. You can’t be godly if you are disobedient to God in Christ. In that case, you become godless.
The first verse in our scripture also speaks of contentment as bringing “great gain” to the holy person of God. Contentment adds to and supports godliness. 1 Timothy 6:7-10 explains clearly that a person who “desires to be rich” will face “temptation”, “ruin”, and “destruction”. That is why the godly person should never be discontented with their financial situation or envious of someone who has more wealth. Why? This, too, is answered in the scripture for today: “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). Are you content with your financial blessings from God? Are you jealous of those who have a higher salary? Do you get upset when you can’t get what you want when you want it?
In a commentary on this very scripture, John MacArthur wrote that a “Love of money and contentment are mutually exclusive”. You can’t have it both ways.
“An ancient Roman proverb says, “Money is like seawater; the more you drink, the thirstier you get.” Ecclesiastes 5:10 summarizes the point this way: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money.”
History has also demonstrated that no amount of riches can compensate for a lack of contentment. Millionaire financier John D. Rockefeller said, “I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” That wealthiest of industrialists, Henry Ford, was quoted as saying, “I was happier doing mechanic’s work.””(from Strength for Today).
A priest came to a Thursday evening meeting at his parish. His week had been horrific. The priest sat by the bedside of a new mother who gave birth to a dead infant. The next day, the priest prayed with a young member of the parish who was dying while fighting for every breath. At the meeting that Thursday night, several of the members were complaining about children at Mass. One said that children were “a breeding ground for illnesses like COVID”, advocating for parents to keep sick children far away from the parish at the first little sniffle. Another committee member complained that children were making too much noise, and parents needed a reminder to keep children as quiet as possible. One committee member remarked that “children should be seen at Mass but not heard”!
As the meeting wound down and all the complaints had been uttered, the priest told the members of the committee what it was like to have a church without children, to be a mother holding a dead infant, or to be a sick child who couldn’t breathe. He ended with these words, “Don’t take these children for granted! They are a blessing from God! Yes, they take patience and love, but don’t we all? Praise God we have children in the pews!”
We all need to be reminded at times not only to be godly but to be content. Significant gain comes from God when both are found in the believer. Do you find it easier to be godly or to be content? Are you faithful but lacking contentedness with your age or occupation or income or situation? Are you content with your life but need to make more godly (and less selfish!) decisions?
True faith is always exhibited with godliness. True wealth is found in contentment, not in monetary gain.
The uplifting video Is Paul Washer's look at the biblical view of godliness .... Click below for that video!