“Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
Human beings typically use a variety of measuring devices for various tasks. For instance, we use clocks to measure time, graduated rulers to measure length, and scales to measure weight. But how does one measure value in life? Well, the answer to that question largely depends upon the standard we use.
For instance, let’s consider the example of someone who views the acquisition of financial and/or material wealth as the key to worth and contentment. While the person in our example may have many different paths to financial or material enrichment, that type of mindset reflects an inaccurate standard of measurement according to 1 Timothy 6:6.
Jesus communicated a similar idea in His correspondence with the ancient church of Laodicea…
“You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need. But you don’t know how bad off you are. You are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 317 CEV).
A far better standard is offered here in 1 Timothy 6:6: “…godliness combined with contentment brings great profit” (NET). When used in this context, the word “contentment” is associated with the idea of self-sufficiency. However, we should not equate “self-sufficiency” with sufficiency in ourselves. Instead, our sufficiency is rooted in God’s provision for our needs…
“God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
“…I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in. I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I’ve learned the secret of how to live when I’m full or when I’m hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13 GW).
These passages should also prompt us to address some important questions regarding genuine contentment. For instance…
- Can we find contentment in Christ when our circumstances do not align with our expectations?
- Can we find contentment when a ministry, relationship, or employment situation has not prospered as we hoped?
- Are we willing to seek contentment in the blessings that God has given us instead of those things He has elected to withhold?
As 1 Timothy 6:6 reminds us, “…godliness with contentment is great gain.” In light of this, we would do well to prayerfully cultivate an attitude of appreciation for the blessings God has provided us and seek to honor Him with them.