Godliness Brings Contentment
“But 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 raiment let us be therewith content.” I Timothy 6:6-8
Paul had been giving Timothy, the leader of the church in Ephesus, some instructions as to how to carry out his responsibilities to Christ and the church. He had written in his letter about those in the church whose minds were corrupt and who did not teach the truth because they did not know the truth. Timothy was warned to steer clear of them. When men don’t agree with the word of God, they form their own notions about scripture, disputing the truth because their minds are corrupted by Satan, and they are so far from the truth that they think their false teaching is somehow going to enrich them. These folks are poison to a church body.
Paul then gave Timothy and all who are followers of Christ the “not so secret” way to true joy and happiness, and that is to be contented with a life that is godly, righteous, and focused on the will of God. Contentment is being satisfied with what you have and not coveting more than you need. People who are constantly seeking more and more of the world’s wealth, power, fame, or prestige are never truly happy nor content. They strive for more and more and then worry they will lose it all. Their lives are centered around whatever they covet.
When we were born into this world, we brought nothing with us. The first thing that was given to us was breath and life from our Creator God. We didn’t do anything to deserve life. God gave it to us because He wanted to. He then saw to it that we had food, clothing, and shelter, again, things of which we could not provide on our own. Even as an adult, God has still provided for us by giving us knowledge and the ability to earn the money we need to sustain our lives. It is all God and none of us. Matthew Henry wrote, “Therefore, let us trust in God for the remaining part of our pilgrimage”.
Just as we came into this world with nothing, we will leave it the same way. Any wealth that we accumulated will go to someone else. There is one spiritual thing that beleivers take with them, and that is the hope of eternal life with Christ, but even that was a gift of God. Just think of the billionaires who died and left it all. Much may have been spent for their funerals, but they died just as poor as they were when they entered life. If they were not followers of Christ, they died without any hope at all. What a waste to spend an entire life striving for more and more of the world’s wealth and then to die a pauper. But what a joy to live in contentment and then die as one rich in Christ.
If we have the necessities of life, food and clothing, then we should be content with the fact that God has provided for and will continue to provide for us all that we need to sustain our lives. I have never known anyone who depended upon the Lord to have suffered great needs such as food, clothes, and shelter. King David said it best in Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”.
It is for certain that life is not perfect on this present earth, but one can be contented if they have gratitude for what God has provided and can thus live a peaceful life. Contentment brings an inner peace and joy that nothing in this material world can provide. Even a new car eventually ends up in the junkyard. Stuff is just stuff and has no power to bring a lasting satisfaction nor a peaceful mind. Only a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ can do that.