***** 1 timothy 6:6-8

1 Timothy 6:6–8 (NRSV)

6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; 7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; 8 but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

In stark contrast to the false teachers who were money hungry and believed that godliness was a means of gain, Paul reaffirms the fact that Christians are to be satisfied with Jesus and live their lives that He may be glorified in this world. Christians are not to be hungry for the pleasures and possessions of this world, but they are to be satisfied with God’s provisions for their lives.

Paul instructed Timothy to withdraw himself from these false teachers that would seek to manipulate, contaminate, frustrate the church through their false teaching! The world is still full of people who are not content with what they have. The 21st century has just as many, if not more, false teachers that teach a health and wealth message that will lead others into trouble and trials. Christians are to be content because of who they are and what they have! We are to be primarily focused on this world, but the world to come. Are you a contended Christian? Are you satisfied in Jesus? Are you passionately pursuing more and more of this world? Are you focused on pleasing the Master or on making money?

Too many people have the mindset of that man who believes he is content; when in reality he is not!

Paul instructed the church about their piety, their possessions, and their provisions. Christian’s contentment is based on whose they are, what they are, and where they are going. I want to challenge the church to focused on the Lord Jesus, faithful to the Lord Jesus, and fulfilled in the Lord Jesus.

These verses give us some instructions about the contentment of Christians.

I. The clear revelation about godliness. (6)

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”

True godliness is not found in what the false teachers preach and teach! True godliness is not taught from the lips of men of corrupt minds and corroded hearts.

Godliness: specially the gospel scheme godliness, holiness, reverence, likeness to God.” This word could also translate “religion” in the truest sense. Godliness cannot be purchased, but it can be pursued! It cannot be bought, but it can be taught! It cannot be earned, but it can be learned! It cannot be financed through a lender, but it can be found in the Lord!

Paul tears down the faulty foundation of the false teachers! Their message and ministry is founded on physical and financial gain in this world which is a distortion and neglecting of the true gospel message. Godliness is indeed gain, but not in the way the false teachers taught it! Their definition of godliness is not the Biblical definition of godliness. Contentment: self satisfaction, a competence contentment, sufficiency.

This word means “to be satisfied with what one has, and to seek nothing more than what one has.” Contentment is a Christian’s inner sufficiency that keeps them at peace in spite of outward circumstances.

Are you a contented person?

Are you satisfied with the Lord Jesus? The world cannot give true contentment and the world cannot take it away from a true Christian. One of the sayings of the Jewish Rabbis was: “Who is rich? He that is content with his lot.” True godliness is accompanied by true contentment! We cannot have the one without the other.

J. Oswald Sanders, in his book “Facing Loneliness,” wrote, “When Jeremy Taylor, the old Puritan, had his house burglarized, all his choicest possessions taken, and his family turned out of doors, he knelt down and thanked God that his enemies had left him the sun and the moon, a loving wife and many friends to pity and relieve, the providence of God, all the promises of the gospel, his faith, his hope of heaven, and his charity toward his enemies! Sanders added, “With wealth such as this, no burglar could impoverish him.”

That man had learned the secret to contentment! The man of God who wrote this epistle had learned the secret of contentment.

Philippians 4:10–13 says, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

How we need a keen awareness of the joys God wants to share! Priceless treasures found in Jesus—we are rich beyond compare! Empty is the life that is filled with nothing but things. Godliness with contentment is great gain!

• Great: megas, meg’-as; big (literal or figurative, in a very wide application):—(+ fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty.

• Gain: porismos, por-is-mos’; (a way, i.e. means); furnishing (procuring), i.e. (by implication) money-getting (acquisition):—gain.

John Phillips wrote, “Gain is not godliness; the two often dwell far apart. True riches are to be found not in material things but in spiritual things.”

When Christians live a surrendered Spirit-filled life they are storing up for themselves treasures in heaven! Matthew 6:19–21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Christians are to live by faith and not by sight! We are to trust in the Lord Jesus to meet all of our needs and be thankful to Him and satisfied in Him. Would to God that the whole church would have this perspective and truly realize that our riches are in glory! We are not to live for the here and now, but the then and there! Godliness with contentment is great gain! We gain favor with God; fulfillment in life; and fruit for eternity! We cannot and we will not fully understand how much gain is godliness until we stand before God! We are still instructed to be godly and be content as His children!

We’re learning about the contentment of Christians.

In verse 6 Paul gives the clear revelation about godliness. In verse 7 we learn:

II. The certain reminder about their goods. (7)

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Paul gives a certain reminder about their goods. There’s no shadow of doubt in this proclamation. Paul reminds the church that this is a fact! Christians are to be content because of the fact that we can never take our goods with us when we leave this earth. The reason Christians should be content with what they have is the fact that we brought nothing into the world and we can never take nothing out of it. Eccles. 5:15, “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.”

Brought:to carry inward , lead into.

Nothing: , nobody, nothing. We did not carry even one thing into this world! This fact should help all Christians keep the proper perspective while we live here below.

SOMETHING TO THING ABOUT: The Jewish Talmud says that man is born with his hands clenched, but he dies with his hands wide open. Coming into the world he is trying to grasp everything, but going out of the world he has to give up everything.

This is a stem warning to those who try to amass treasures, stock pile possession, hang on to money, and focus on fortunes! Paul gives a word about our goods! We didn’t bring any with us when we came and we’ll not take any when we go. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “True contentment comes from godliness in the heart, not wealth in the hand.”

The Bible is full of admonitions to us concerning money and our possessions.

Paul reminds Timothy and the church that it is certain that we can take nothing out of the world.

It is certain and clear to any and every one that no one is carrying any gold or goods with them when they die.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Eve never saw a hearse pulling a U-Haul!”

Are you working for the pleasures and possessions of this world?

Are you neglecting your walk with the Lord and your relationship with your family trying to provide stuff and trying to get more and more?

In the parable of the rich fool the Lord Jesus gave us a warning about trusting in uncertain riches to the detriment of our souls. Luke 12:15–21 says, “And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’20 God said him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Christians are not to get their focus on fortunes, but keep their eyes on the the lord! Christians are not to be consumed with money, but be content with the Master. Christians are not to be caught up with possessions, but content with His provisions. True Christians understand the cost of being a Christian. Those whose heart is set on money and material possessions cannot grasp the love of God and the grace of God because they’ve got a hold of the things of this world.

Mark 10:17–22 says, “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,” Do not murder,” Do not steal,” Do not bear false witness,” Do not defraud,” Honor your father and your mother.’ “20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

The church often needs to be reminded not to love the world or the things in this world. 1 John 2:15–17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Paul gives a certain reminder about our goods. We didn’t have them when we came and we’ll not take them when we leave! How many of us have more stuff than we need? Paul gives Timothy a clear revelation about godliness; a certain reminder about our goods; and we also learn in verse 8:

III. The Christian’s resolve about what their given. (8)

“And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”

Paul exhorts the brethren to have the same mind and resolve about their monetary treasures and their material possessions. When we understand the principle that is given in verse 7 we can apply the principle in verse 8. When we truly understand that we brought nothing into the world and we can never take anything from it then can we be content with what we have. God has promised to meet our needs (Phil. 4:19) but not our greed! He’ll give us what we have to have not any and everything that we want to have! The world will tell you to get all you can, save up and hoard up and store up for yourself. The world will tell you to take no prisoners and do what’s best for your interest and your business! The philosophy of the world is not the philosophy of the Lord!

Paul knew what it was to have plenty and he knew what it was to be in poverty! He understood that when our basic needs are met we should be content with such!

Christians must be resolved to be content with what they have been given! The Lord Jesus provides for our needs and we must be thankful and grateful to the Lord for His provisions.

Food: nourishment food.

Clothing: clothing:—raiment.

Guy H. King wrote, “Life’s essentials are very few—the two just mentioned, and but one or two more: what we put on, our raiment; what we put in, our food; what we put up, a house to dwell in; and what we put by, for our loved ones.”

With these provisions, we will be content!

Content: be enough, suffice, be sufficient. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

William Barclay wrote, “Contentment comes when we escape the slavery to things, when we find our wealth in the love and the fellowship of others, and when we realize that our most precious possession is our friendship with God, made possible through Jesus Christ.” Christian’s need to be content with what we have because we understand that it is the Lord Jesus who provides for our needs! It is a bad testimony and witness when we love the world’s money, materials, and fail to love the Lord Jesus!

Most of the Proverbs are attributed to Solomon, but Proverbs 30 is written by Agur. Agur was a godly man who had this perspective that Paul is talking about.

Proverbs 30:8–9 says, “Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

Paul gives a word about the Christian’s resolve about what they are given. We just need to be satisfied with Jesus and thankful for how He’s blessed us! Are you a contended person?

Do you want more and more or are you thankful for your provisions?

We should never hoard up for ourselves because we can’t take it with us when we leave!

There’s nothing wrong with us providing for the needs of our families and passing on what has been passed on to us, but we must never be consumed with money and material possessions.

Godliness with contentment is great gain!