1 Timothy 6:6- But godliness with contentment is great gain.
If I were to conduct a random survey asking the question “How would you like to prosper this year?” I’m certain most, if not all responses, would have something to do with financial prosperity, career prosperity, or maybe even relational prosperity. I have never been a betting man, but I’d be willing to place a good wager that 0% of the answers (including my own) would have anything to do with being prosperous in contentment.
Our sinful minds are naturally wired to think of prosperity in terms of the accumulation of more possessions and hardly in terms of being satisfied with what we have. We exist in a culture where great gain is measured by quantity and not quality. The more money you have, the more social media followers you possess, and having the picture perfect relationship are all markers that keep us exhausted trying to keep up with the Joneses. These things keep us searching for a piece of something, while missing the peace we desire.
As an ex-Pharisee who had climbed the pharisaic corporate ladder, Paul (the author) understood what was on the other side of chasing after worldly gain—fools gold. But, after being touched by the hand of God and over time maturing in his faith, Paul could now instruct Timothy that it’s actually contentment in Jesus that provides everything we need…and then some. It’s within the context of contentment that Paul pens one of the most frequently quoted verses—Philippians 4:13
“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:11-13
Paul’s point wasn’t to convince himself he could do everything he dreamed of (how this verse is normally falsely interpreted). However, Paul got to a place in his life where he understood he could deal with any life circumstance because he was completely content in the One who possessed complete control over his circumstances.
His “great gain” as our key text says came from him trusting the Christ who controls our blessings versus the actual blessings themselves. We have a lot to learn from Paul. Since his life honored God and he became satisfied with whatever he had, in return he possessed a robust spiritual life. He wasn’t swayed by the constant ups and downs of life.
So let me ask you, what is it in your own life you continue to struggle to be content with, keeping you from experiencing spiritual prosperity? Maybe you’re discontent with your current income and you’re convinced if God prospers you with more money, things will be better. Let me tell you, God isn’t against being financially well-off; His bigger concern is how are you stewarding what you currently have? Over time, more money is only going to expose what’s already in your heart. Maybe you’re discontent with your current relational status. Whether married or single, all of us can learn something from Jesus who was simultaneously single and married (hang with me).
Physically as a man He was single His entire life yet completely content in who He was and the calling on His life. On the flip side, spiritually He is the bridegroom of the church (Matthew 9:15) who remains faithful to us despite our unfaithfulness to Him. What does this mean?
If you’re single right now, is your contentment in Christ or are you running from relationship to relationship trying to find happiness in another flawed human? If you’re married, how are cultivating your own marriage? Are you content with whom God has given you or do you endlessly nitpick at their flaws? What if Jesus did that to us?
Being content with what God has provided doesn’t mean life will be easy, it simply means you’ve learned to relinquish control of your life to a loving and all-wise Father.
Comments