"Godliness With Contentment"

by Micky Galloway

I Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.”

The faithful child of God ought to be concerned about “great gain.” However, we must be aware that there are two kinds of gain: physical and spiritual. While it is not sinful to have physical wealth, those who are rich are cautioned, “… that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (I Timothy 6:17). The warning is regarding our attitude toward material wealth. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:12). In this context the apostle speaks of two distinct groups of people. Verses 5-10 address those who want to be rich. Verses 17-19 address those who are rich. Perhaps we should pray as Agur, “Two things have I asked of thee; Deny me (them) not before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me: Lest I be full, and deny (thee), and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And use profanely the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:7-9).

The true focus of “great gain” involves two things:

Godliness: eusebeia, “reverence, respect piety toward God, godliness: Acts 3:12” (Thayer). It “denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to him” (W.E. Vine). It embraces that fear and reverence of God that must characterize both our attitudes and conduct. For example, “By faith Noah, being warned (of God) concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Hebrews 11:7; cf. I Timothy 3:12; II Peter 2:9). It is the character quality which enables one to say, “Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9) with meaning, reverence, and awe. It is the acute awareness of the greatness of Him who is the “Almighty” (Genesis 17:1), and infinitely “Holy” God (Isaiah 6:3).

Contentment: autarkeia, “a perfect condition of life, in which no aid or support is needed, a sufficiency of the necessaries of life: 2 Cor 9:8” (Thayer). It means “sufficient in oneself, self-sufficient, adequate, needing no assistance; hence, content” (W.E. Vine). Paul said in the context of the contribution for the needy saints in Jerusalem, “And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency (autarkeia) in everything, may abound unto every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8). Real contentment is not based upon what a person has, nor is it determined by where he lives. Contentment is based upon what a person is, and it is determined by his awareness of the nearness of a merciful and beneficent heavenly Father who exhorts his children, saying, “Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Being content is not determined by human experiences and conditions because it is based on our spiritual fellowship with God and not on the physical possessions. Come what may from the viewpoint of outward circumstances, contentment remains. It provides a joy that no man can take from us.

We can learn to be content because we know that:

• God will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised that He will provide that which we need if we seek Him first. “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
• God knows our needs even better than ourselves. “Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).
• God has provided for something far greater to those who are faithful. “Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10; cf. I Peter 1:3-4).

I am convinced that, knowing these things, the apostle Paul could write from a Roman prison expressing his conflicting desires. On one hand he desired “to depart and be with Christ …” (Philippians 1:23). Yet, on the other hand, he wanted to continue in his evangelism which would “bring fruit from my work” (Philippians 1:22). Not to worry however, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus … for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content” (Philippians 4:6-7, 11).

Godliness with contentment is NOT an easy task! As we live in some difficult times, let us learn to be content.