WALK IN CONTENTMENT

“Now godliness with CONTENTMENT is great gain” – 1 Timothy 6:6

To walk in God’s Way is to WALK IN CONTENTMENT: “Now godliness with COMTENTMENT 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” (1 Tim.6: 6-8). This timeless truth was written by Paul, a man who went without the comforts of life more than most people could ever imagine. He knew and shared the secret of contentment: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:11b-13).

Contentment is the heart attitude of being satisfied with what we have, who we are, and where we’re going, in God. Solomon, the wisest, richest, and most influential king in Israel's history, wrote: "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance with increase. This also is vanity” (Ecc.5:10). Regardless of their financial status, people generally possess a selfish desire for the same thing…more! Godliness and contentment are compatible. The godly man can sleep well with a good conscience. However, ungodly persons, whose lifestyles are characterised by greed “fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (v.9).

In Paul's day, there were those who taught that “godliness is a means to gain.” Paul cautioned Timothy, “From such withdraw yourself" (v.5). Materialism or accumulation of worldly wealth is not the prime goal of Christianity; eternal life is Christ’s promise! Our Lord considered lack of contentment as sin: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ... For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt.6:25, 32-33).

The opposite of Contentment is Covetousness, which scriptures strictly warn against: “Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied” (Pro.27:20). The Lord Jesus warns: “Take heed and BEWARE of COVETOUSNESS, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Lk.12:15b). Hebrews 13: 5-6 say: “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.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

“The LOVE of MONEY is a root of all kinds of evil…” (v.10a). Covetousness has ruined many lives and marriages: “Some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (v.10b). The world has witnessed many greedy corporate executives jailed and ruined because of corrupt deeds. Material riches are not forever: “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” (vv. 6-7). God has blessed us in so many ways, that we have no reason to remain in the bondage of corruption, covetousness, and greed.

God is not against riches, but greed. He says to the rich: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, WHO GIVES US RICHLY ALL THINGS TO ENJOY. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (vv.17-19). All that we are and have must be used to glorify God!