Now godliness with contentment is great gain
1 Timothy 6:6
There's a lie thriving in the hearts of many. A lie that's been told a million times over since Adam and Eve. A lie that's led many down the road of unrelenting stress and sorrow. The lie is simply that "more is better". It's the belief that more money, more things, and more fame brings more joy, more peace, and more happiness. This satanic lie is so prevalent in the world around us we barely take notice of it, and are often more influenced by it then we may realize.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to his beloved, spiritual son, Timothy, to further develop and establish him as a servant-leader for Christ addressing this very thing. He wrote,
Now 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 clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6-10)
Without mincing words Paul revealed that "godliness with contentment is great gain" and that a servant of God should be content with having food and clothing. Furthermore, he reveals that desiring to be rich is a great trap that drowns men in destruction and death! No doubt his countercultural message was as unpopular then as it is now, but it's one we have great need to heed as the love for money has, and is, leading many people away from truly following Jesus the way the Father calls us to.
My kids and I had a great time boogie boarding this summer filled with a lot of fun, giggles, and wipeouts. However, as their Dad, I was always doing my best to protect them and especially watched out for rip tides, which are very common bands of currents that can quickly pull a person away from shore. Their danger lies in their subtlety because they can be difficult to spot and you often don't realize you're caught in one until you're in its danger! Being caught by the love of money is very much the same thing. It can be difficult to spot and you don't realize you're caught by it until you're in the danger of it.
Desiring to be successful, accumulating wealth for God's Kingdom, and being blessed with riches is not evil nor should be frowned upon. It is rather the "love" of the money and the lack of contentment without the riches that is the problem. All who lack contentment when they lack riches are in great danger of falling into satan's temptation and wind up piercing themselves through with many sorrows. (See 1 Timothy 6:10)
God's a good, good Father who desires our joy, peace, and happiness! Let's follow the wisdom of His Word that tells us to flee the love of money and to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness, and to fight the good fight of faith and to lay hold on eternal life to which we were called. (See 1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Steve Hannett is the founding Pastor of Abundant Grace Christian Church and Jesus Reigns International located in NJ. He carries a powerful apostolic, teaching, and healing anointing with signs, wonders, and miracles. He serves as local faculty with the Antioch School of Leadership, and is an apostolic leader with Christ Covenant Coalition.
