“… is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering, we shall be therewith content” (1 Tim. 5:6-7).
The true assessment of godliness is given here. Coupled with contentment, it is great gain. The statement stands in contrast with malcontentment, with disputings, envy, strife, railing, wrangling of men, joined with the conviction that godliness is a way of gain. “It is,” argues the apostle, but not in the sense some suppose it to be!
Godliness, standing alone, describe one who has the right spirit toward God, by submitting to His code of behavior, and in addition to this, a right attitude toward his fellow man. Those two qualities — godliness — does bring great gain; if the added element of contentment is there. “Contentment” is defined as “satisfaction with what one has” (Ex. Dict. of N.T. Words, Vol. 1, p 234). Certainly if “true godliness” is there, there will be contentment. Thus the Hebrews were urged, “Be ye free from the love of money, content with such things as ye have” (Heb. 13:5). The apostle deals with a truth that cannot be questioned: “We brought nothing into the world.” When Job was smitten with the loss of his family and material possessions, he said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). In one of Paul’s prison letters he said, “I know how to be abased and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry …” (Phil. 4:12). These words were an enlargement of his words, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content” (Phil. 4:11). What a blessed state to be in — to be content.
The enemy of contentment is one’s craving for more than he has. “But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts such as drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9). He who is “minded to be rich” has lost contentment, if he ever had it. One who is minded to be rich, falls into …
“A temptation.” The grasping for riches opens the way to one who is bent in that direction to be tempted to use any means, legal or illegal, moral or immoral, to have what he lusts for. He who has such a desire thinks little or nothing about who he tramples down to get what he wants, or (as in the case of drugs, etc.) he cares nothing about the hurt and sorrow he may inflict upon others. Does the “drug lord” worry about the mental damage done to those who use his drugs; about the length those hooked on them will go to to be able to buy them from the gamut of lying, selling one’s body, stealing, even murder? The “drug lord” worries not at all about the side effects upon others from the addiction of those who “must” have his wares.
“A snare.” This literally means to fix. Those minded to be rich often find themselves ensnared in the web they have woven to ensnare others.
“Many foolish and hurtful lusts.” The whims of those who are “minded to be rich” are frequently foolish desires — acquisition of cars, clothes, and shoes. Many buy things they neither need nor use, simply because the items appealed momentarily to their desires and their lusts, cravings — which things often are hurtful and harmful to themselves. The truth is “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6 :10) The love of money may lead to lying, stealing, and murder. There is scarcely any crime or sin which man may stoop to, that some do because of the love of money.
So, true godliness with contentment is great gain. To be content, satisfied with what one has, will keep one’s “blood pressure” normal and allow restful sleep. Contentment is a great “sleeping pill”!
Jim McDonald
