“Now godliness
with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it
is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these
we shall be content.” (1Timothy 6:6-8 NKJ)
with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it
is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these
we shall be content.” (1Timothy 6:6-8 NKJ)
When I think of how
many people I could help; of how many ministries I could fund; how much
ministry I could do . . . if I was only wealthy. If I only had a million
dollars. If money was constantly flowing without end into my bank account. Then
I shake myself, reality returns, and I know that I am being tempted by the
enemy.
many people I could help; of how many ministries I could fund; how much
ministry I could do . . . if I was only wealthy. If I only had a million
dollars. If money was constantly flowing without end into my bank account. Then
I shake myself, reality returns, and I know that I am being tempted by the
enemy.
In this world of
lack and poverty, there is a constant temptation to go for the gold and silver.
The glittering possibilities can blind us about material blessings. Millionaire
preachers espousing godliness as a source of gain. Publisher’s Clearing House
Sweepstakes tempting us everyday. Casinos enticing every discontented citizen
to try for the golden ring.
lack and poverty, there is a constant temptation to go for the gold and silver.
The glittering possibilities can blind us about material blessings. Millionaire
preachers espousing godliness as a source of gain. Publisher’s Clearing House
Sweepstakes tempting us everyday. Casinos enticing every discontented citizen
to try for the golden ring.
It strikes me as
singularly significant, however, that Paul taught contentment hinged to
godliness. That’s right, scriptural contentment is dependent upon properly
understanding godliness as taught by Jesus. And Paul harshly condemns those who
“teach otherwise” as “corrupt” deceivers and
“destitute of the truth” (1 Tim. 6:3-5). He rather forcefully warns
us to withdraw ourselves from these deceivers (v.5). And he is clear about why
this is important to us as ministers and believers:
singularly significant, however, that Paul taught contentment hinged to
godliness. That’s right, scriptural contentment is dependent upon properly
understanding godliness as taught by Jesus. And Paul harshly condemns those who
“teach otherwise” as “corrupt” deceivers and
“destitute of the truth” (1 Tim. 6:3-5). He rather forcefully warns
us to withdraw ourselves from these deceivers (v.5). And he is clear about why
this is important to us as ministers and believers:
those
who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and
harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of
harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of
money
is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in
is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in
their
greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(1Timothy
6:9-10 NKJ)
6:9-10 NKJ)
After traveling in
Africa and Haiti, it is easy to see that in my “poverty,” I am still
materially richer than many other people of the world. Yet, I must not allow
myself to go overboard in asceticism either. What is a truth-loving, Bible-believing
Christian to do? Paul gives us the answer and encourages a balanced
perspective: recognize the real issue (v. 6); run from temptations and pursue
real wealth (v. 11); fight to maintain our confession of faith and eternal life
(v. 12); and be content (v. 7-8).
Africa and Haiti, it is easy to see that in my “poverty,” I am still
materially richer than many other people of the world. Yet, I must not allow
myself to go overboard in asceticism either. What is a truth-loving, Bible-believing
Christian to do? Paul gives us the answer and encourages a balanced
perspective: recognize the real issue (v. 6); run from temptations and pursue
real wealth (v. 11); fight to maintain our confession of faith and eternal life
(v. 12); and be content (v. 7-8).
Yes, it is
challenging. Paul never said it was easy. Instead of enjoying our lives, as
they are at this moment, we only seem to worry and fret about not having
enough. We focus on our lack, instead of our abundance in Christ. From now on, I promise myself, I am going to be content with God’s present blessings.
challenging. Paul never said it was easy. Instead of enjoying our lives, as
they are at this moment, we only seem to worry and fret about not having
enough. We focus on our lack, instead of our abundance in Christ. From now on, I promise myself, I am going to be content with God’s present blessings.
Dear Father, thank
you for our daily bread and clothing and the abundance we have in Christ. Give
us a hunger and thirst for the contentment of your righteousness. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for our daily bread and clothing and the abundance we have in Christ. Give
us a hunger and thirst for the contentment of your righteousness. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Pursue godliness
with contentment today,
with contentment today,