“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. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10
One area of life a lot of Christians fail in is “contentment”.
The word means - satisfaction with what one has – and may I add, being
satisfied with what God has graciously given us. However, in this world people
believe “money” brings happiness, but in reality, it only brings misery. The
Lord said, “godliness with contentment is great gain”, which means - “to
be devout," denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude”
– therefore it is godliness and not money that should deliver happiness to
every Christian. God reminds us in reference to money that, “we brought
nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out”. So
why do so many Christians seek more money instead of more godliness? You can
have both money and godliness, yes, but only if God graciously supplies both as
an act of grace. We must remember that “the love of money is the root of all
evil”. We must first and last seek godliness if we are going to be happy
because God warns us seeking more than God gives us could cause us to “fall
into temptation and a snare”. What is a “snare”, it is defined this way,
-it is a trap, the allurements to evil by which the Devil – a place that
no Christian wants or needs to be. It is this love for money that has caused
many Christians and churches to fall into the snare of the devil and leave the
truth of the word and godliness. God said of this “love for money” that it will
only “drown men in destruction and perdition”. The word “perdition”
means - ruin or loss or waste – another place no true Christian or church wants
to be. God said “while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith” or
in seeking more than God gives by grace it caused them to err from the faith
and godliness. The greatest godliness in a human heart is faith in God, faith
in Jesus Christ, and faith in His sovereignty to supply our every need. Paul
wrote these words to the church at Philippi, “Not because I desire a gift:
but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound:
I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you,
an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my
God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Philippians
4:17-20 Beloved, please understand, seeking money instead of godliness can cost
you in eternal rewards, something no true Christian should want. Patience is needed
for us to be godly and content. James wrote, “Be ye also patient; stablish
your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:8. A
Believer with a patient heart will always be godly because we trust the Lord in
contentment. Paul wrote to Timothy these words, “But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness.” 1 Tim. 6:11 Listen beloved, we all know, and God
certainly knows we need money to live in this world. But when our love for
money takes away from our godliness then we have allowed “foolish and
hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” And for this
there is no excuse, God never bless those that lose faith in Him to supply our
needs. Nothing is more important than God and our serving God in the Truth of
His word.
