"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." -1 Tim 6:6-7
Godliness is a deep reverence for God. The word also implies a dutiful attitude toward the Lord. Ungodliness is not only the opposite of godliness--an irreverence, but very literally an "un-godlikeness". Truly if we are not godly we are ungodly, either we represent God or we represent ourselves. And in ourselves we are selfish beings seeking to be content in the things of this world. If we are to be content as Christians we must daily ask ourselves "Is God my all in all? and Is God enough for me?" False teachers and idle babblers in Paul's time believed that godliness was a means of financial gain. (6:5) Today we still have these kinds of people; those who peddle the word of God to rob the foolish and undiscerning, and those who babble on about how "all the church wants is your money". Neither is correct in their doing of course. But if the Christian is to be content with whatever means and finances he or she has they need to exercise godliness in their lives first. A puritan once wrote..“There is no better antidote against coveting that which is another’s than BEING CONTENT with that which is our own.” Paul says "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out". I remember a story told of a rich man who asked his wife to bury him with his gold when he died. The wife was faithful in this and stuffed his pockets with two golden bricks. When he died as he was entering heaven's courtyard with Peter he checked his pockets and took out the gold. Peter looked at him strangely and said "why are you carrying asphalt". The things that bring us temporary happiness in this life cannot compare to the joy and contentment found in constantly seeking His face. May we be content with the income we have knowing that God will provide our every need through Christ Jesus as we walk in godliness and contentment. For you see it's not about the income but the outcome! What will come of you?
- HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE YOU BEGAN YOUR WALK WITH CHRIST? THINK BACK TO A YEAR AGO. ARE YOU NOW MORE LIKE CHRIST THAN YOU WERE THEN?
- [contentment] "is an inner sense of rest or peace that comes from being right with God and knowing that He is in control of all that happens to us. It means having our focus on the kingdom of God and serving Him, not on the love of money and things." -Steven Cole