There is a common saying that Godliness with contentment is great gain. But what do we make of this?
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Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain
It's a biblical statement in the letters of brother Paul to Timothy. You can find the exact statement in 1 Timothy 6:6.
It says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
To you reading this, what does it mean? Well, let's find out what Godliness and Contentment means!
What Is Godliness?
In a genuine faith, holiness rather than wealth defines godliness. Godly is the ideal adjective to describe it.
It suggests that a person demonstrates God's qualities in both his or her relationship with other people and devotion to God.
What Is Contentment?
The word for contentment is satisfaction. Contentment is a state of being contented.
This implies that one is satisfied and happy going with what he or she has.
Godliness is gainful with contentment. Infact, godliness without contentment is ungodly.
That's why the ungodly sees godliness as financial gains or worldly wealth; thereby doing a lot of ungodly things.
To make this clear, Paul's message to Timothy on godliness was to guide him on his leadership role.
In 1st Timothy Chapter 1 and 2, Paul charged Timothy to teach the servants to honour both their unbelieving and believing masters regardless.
1 Timothy 6:1 "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed."
1 Timothy 6:2 "And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort."
But in verse 3 to 5, he gave a detailed description of those who teach otherwise and the opposite of Truth.
"1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."
In the first two verses, we saw a doctrine of godliness which includes to honour humanity, regardless of the belief system.
Remember, the death of Christ wasn't for specifics or a group of people. Rather, the sacrifice of Christ was for the world.
On the other hands are leaders who probably teach honouring at the expense of financial gains and not in Truth. Why? Follow up.
Note: Paul charged Timothy to stay away from such that use godliness as a means to make profits. Better said, those who promote worldliness in place of godliness.
He further explained the truth about godliness saying, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." ~ 1 Timothy 6:6.
Jesus' Warning
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus warned,
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
But these set of leaders use service to God as a means to make money. The picture of the then letter, is clear in these latter days.
People now use their positions of leadership and influence over the lead to make gains. They are destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness.
But we know that godliness with contentment is gainful.
"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (1 Timothy 6:7-8).
It is good to be rich and wealthy but not at the expense of godliness.
Brother Paul said in Philippians 4:11 to 13;
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Conclusion:
Don't be good for gain's sake. Gain is not godliness but godliness with contentment is great gain.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." ~ Colossians 3:12-13.
"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you." ~ 2 Peter 3:15.
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• Should Brotherly Love Continue?
• How To Overcome Lust Of The Flesh
• How To Overcome Lust Of The Eyes
© Joseph Edem Bassey