I Timothy 6:5 “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
What is the greater gain? It’s been demonstrated to us by life’s experiences. We’ve been down the road. We’ll all agree that material gain doesn’t substitute or make one content. When we’re close to the Lord we are satisfied. There is the contentment. Life comes together.
Our instinctive goal is to find contentment on this earth. We learn and then forget. We get on the “gotta have it ” kick. When we focus on the world, we’re never content no matter how much we have. When we seek to be filled with God we are happy—the greater gain. Thank God for our material things. Think more about our spiritual gain. Verse 5 is good advice. Whenever we turn our emphasis to the world and get rich quick thinking, we’re supposing that gain is godliness. With God, there is no supposition.
Is this relevant to us? None of us here are millionaires. The amount of what we have is not it; what we focus on is. Israel put foolish, inert matters before God. With the way God manifested himself to them, he couldn’t understand. The people still wanted what they could see and touch. Material things became obsessions. This is dangerous. We’ve seen people get lewd to get ahead. We’ve heard them use foul language to fit in, thus getting a promotion. We’ve seen carnality in general. The devil makes sure we get ahead a little. Regardless of the “reward” received from such attitudes and actions, what does it profit? The Bible says “for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Never let what you have get in the way.
Don’t make the mistakes of the early church. Laodicea was blessed and prospered. They took what God gave them, and said we “are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Do you think you don’t’ need to pray and be faithful? Jesus called them lukewarm. He said he would spew them out of his mouth. We too can focus on material things and suppose the gain is godliness. We put focus on what God provides more than we do him. We are less contented. We focus on the material, the social, and the physical gain; we’re fanatical about how our bodies are supposed to look. All this may produce gain, but it doesn’t produce contentment.
Don’t think about your retirement funds. Don’t think about what’s in your driveway. Don’t consider this kind of wealth. What makes you rich in heart and soul? What satisfies you night and day, in good and bad, in life and death? This is what we have in God. How much must you have to find contentment? There will never be enough. We have more wealth than people have ever had, but this is a miserable age. There are more suicides in the wealthy of the world than in the poorer folks. That says a great deal. Growing up, we didn’t have much BUT we had enough. Contentment comes from how much we have with God.
How full is your spiritual closet? This verse has proved itself over and over. Eve had to have that fruit. It was not enough to have God, Adam and paradise. She had to get what God said no to. She was not content. Look what it cost her. The Lord is our source of serenity. A Christian who lives and trusts in the Lord and allows God to fill his heart knows godliness and contentment. Paul said “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He learned it not by the state of his social life or his physical condition. He learned it. Contentment is from the Lord. Jesus said “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Put God first.
What is your focus? In order for contentment to be godliness, one must have God. Consider all the rooms of your life. What are your assets? You claim to be saved and live right. Now take a look at how much room God has. Never fall for the lie. Gain is supposition; it’s a myth. Gain without God is not gain. Godliness with contentment is the greater gain. The more consecrated we are, the more contentment we’ll find. That gain is far greater. How many coins of godliness do you have? Are we to count our blessings? Yes. They are gifts from God. God gives us enough. Count the spiritual coins. Just how many do you possess?
Are you committed to the Lord? Do you want to please him? You will come out ahead because this, alone, is the greater gain.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 