But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 NIV
Contentment – “a state of happiness and satisfaction.”
Where do we find contentment? Paul writes about how much we gain when we obtain our happiness and satisfaction strictly from our walk with GOD.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:7 NIV
In the world we live in today, it would seem impossible to be content without many material items. The Lord doesn’t want us to live without the things we desire, but he wants us to be content with what HE desires for us.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8 NIV
I’ve heard it said that all we need to live is food, clothing, and shelter, but I submit that those things must be combined with a strong walk with our Lord and God, Christ Jesus!
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV
Paul warns us about focusing too much on what we want, instead of what God desires for us! God doesn’t purposefully deny us the things we desire, he simply knows best what we need to fulfill his purpose and complete his plan for us!
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11
Finally, Paul tells Timothy, to whom he wrote this epistle, what his focus should be as a man that seeks a strong walk with the Lord, What does the Lord want us to be content and comfortable with?
Perhaps Jeremiah shed some light on this:
This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV
Remember to Encourage others always, Plant the seed of the Word whenever possible, and to Serve HIM by serving others.
Encourage, Plant, and Serve.
Look to HIM, always!
Barnabas
Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger Barnabas.