| |
1 TIMOTHY 6:6 “BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN.” (KJV, ASV, NKJV, NIV)
“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. (NASV)
“There is great gain in godliness with contentment. (RSV)
“Do you want to be truly rich? You already are if you are happy and good. (TLB)
Paul warns Timothy to beware of teachers of false doctrine in the preceding verses. Those kinds of “teachers” would believe that godliness is a means to financial gain. Wow! Has that worked out that way for you?
It would seem that the more godly I would become, the less wealthy I would probably be. Yet, we don’t have to look too far in our American culture today to see those who show themselves leaders in the Christian church who are definitely wealthy.
The verses following this one are some of the most often quoted verses in the Bible: “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” “The love of money is the root of all evil.” “Fight the good fight of faith.” It is not surprising that Paul would start with, “godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Who of us does not want to gain greatly in the faith? Who pursues poverty in order to obtain a higher righteousness (asceticism)? Is it possible to be totally content with just godliness, or do we need material possessions in order to achieve happiness?
The problem isn’t much different today than when Paul wrote these words. As followers of Jesus Christ, we should be seeking godliness…holiness…righteousness. In the world, however, we seek as much materially as we can get sometimes, making us no different than those who do not know Jesus. Verse 8 amplifies the thought a little more: “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
I’m pretty sure that asceticism isn’t what Paul is talking about here. That is the practice of self-denial as a measure of personal and spiritual discipline; rigorous abstention from self-indulgence. It is hard to believe that any form of contentedness can come from severe self-denial, let alone perhaps godliness. However, I’d say that as a culture, we Americans are definitely on the way-opposite, reverse side of this spectrum.
How difficult is it for us to ever find contentment? Rarely are we contented with just enough food. Entertainment is our driving force in way too many cases and we are never content with unsatisfactory diversions, especially if we have to pay for them. How many fans are contented if “their” team loses? And let’s not forget the real focus of this discussion. How much money do we have to make before we can feel contented? Are you feeling a little bit guilty yet? I am.
Let’s not forget that this goal of great gain, however, is achievable by both aspects of these emotional scales, godliness AND contentment. The goal is not to achieve one or the other, godliness or contentment. We might even say that it is not just our goal to achieve godliness AND contentment. But, Paul makes us think that our goal is to achieve godliness WITH contentment…we want them both together.
Maybe it is true that we cannot come to some level of godliness without also finding contentment. Can we really find contentment with just food and clothing, the barest necessities of life? Most of us will never know. However, it certainly seems that, as Christians who would pursue Christ-likeness, we will never know great gain apart from godliness WITH contentment. I want them both. I want them working together to bring about the me God wants me to be. How about you?
Questions to ponder: How much is enough? Is food and clothing, the barest necessities of life, really enough so that with it, we can be content? How does contentment lead to godliness? Is contentment a form of godliness, equal with holiness, purity and sanctification? Does godliness in our lives have a measurable scale? How can I tell if I am becoming more godly? Has that ever really been a goal in your Christian life? How did Jesus demonstrate godliness and contentment?
Other Scriptures to consider: Phil 4:11, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content.” Luke 3:14 “…be content with your wages.” Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.” Luke 16:11 “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
 
|
|
