But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)
This verse has been rolling around in my head for a while now. We talked about godliness for an entire month in March of last year, and it seems as if “the quality of being like God” would be enough. And yet, Paul tells us that it is godliness WITH contentment that is great gain.
So what is contentment exactly? How does it relate to gratitude? What is it’s great gain?
The Greek word used for contentment in 1 Timothy 6:6 means “a mind contented with its lot.”
Our English dictionaries have it down to mean “a state of happiness and satisfaction.”
If we keep reading into verses 7 and 8, we get a little more about contentment.
Here, Paul tells us, “7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.”
In verse 8, the word for content is slightly different – it carries with it the connotation of not only being satisfied, but of being enough. It has a connotation of sufficiency. But what I loved most about this word, was some of the other places that it was used in scripture.
For example, in John 14:8, this word is used when Philip says to Jesus, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”
Or in Hebrews 13:5, where we are told “Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.”
What is it that we each have, that is enough? Jesus.
Each and every one of us, who have made the choice to give our lives to Christ, have Him. We have His Spirit, ever present with us. And that, is the secret to being content, no matter what else we do, or do not, have.
In Philippians chapter 4, Paul is expressing gratitude to the church at Phillipi over their support of him. It is after expressing this gratitude to the people of Philippi that Paul writes this:
Philippians 4: 10-13
“11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Paul tells us again – I have learned to be content – and how has he learned this? Because he knows that all he does – he does through Jesus. He knows that whether in abundance or in poverty – he will have what he needs – IN JESUS.
And Paul lived no easy life – he survived multiple shipwrecks, was persecuted for preaching the gospel, and was eventually martyred for the faith. When he says that in all circumstances, the secret to being content is Jesus, we can believe him.
In our house, we read biographies of christian missionaries. While some of these heroes have paid the ultimate cost for their faith, by giving their life, what I am constantly amazed by, is the way that each and every one of these men and women laid down their lives daily, in pursuit of the Lord, and seeing others come to know Him.
I have never known what it is to go hungry, to not know where my next meal was coming from. I’ve never known what it was like to go to sleep, not knowing if I or my family would be killed in the night, attacked for our faith. And yet I see a pattern among these christian heroes – they each chose to leave a life of ease, and endure the most horrific of circumstances, simply so that they could spread the love and message of Jesus to those that had never heard it.
And what do we see in their journals? Gratitude. Contentment. They find contentment in all of their circumstances, because they know that no matter what – they have all they need in Jesus. They were satisfied – grateful – simply being able to walk with Christ, and carry the gospel to those who needed it – no matter what circumstance it put them in.
Gratitude brings contentment. And contentment brings gratitude. It’s a cycle that builds upon itself, taking us to a place where we too, can learn to “give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Now as the holidays approach, I want to challenge us. There are plenty of opportunities to let discontent rest in our hearts. Discontent over what we have. Over the state of our families or relationships. Discontent over our homes, and even our bodies and our abilities.
But instead, let’s choose gratitude. Let’s choose to be content.
Contentment brings peace.
Contentment brings joy.
Content brings us closer to Christ.
Godliness with contentment, is indeed, great gain.
We want to thank Brooke Kellum for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 