Godliness with Contentment Part 2 by Pastor Dave

“….But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
1 Timothy 6: 6
 
1 Timothy 6: 6-10
 
     Within this passage is an often misquoted verse, verse 10. It can regularly be read as ‘money is the root of all kinds of evil,’ whereas what it actually says is, ‘the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.’ So we see that this is a matter of the heart, this is why Jesus warned, ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,’  Matt. 6: 21.
 
     This love of money has some dangers and traits (vs. 9):

• It is insatiable and does not satisfy. A Roman proverb likens it to drinking seawater, rather than satisfying the longing it intensifies the thirst
• Money can be seen as a source for security (vs. 7), but as our world situation shows, it clearly cannot provide that assurance in all situations
• It can make us selfish and increase harmful desires within us (vs. 9)
• And it can take over our hearts drawing us away from the absolute worth of knowing God (vs. 10)

 
     Real richness and gain is found in our relationship with God; this is the heart’s home for an attitude of godly contentment. Proverbs 30: 8-9 advises, ‘…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.’ Notice the connection of this Proverb with the Lord ’s Prayer, Jesus’ instructions not to worry (Matt 6) and verses 7-8 in 1 Timothy 6. The Lord promises to provide, encouraging contentment with the provision of our basics needs (Matt 6: 25-34 and 1 Tim. 6: 8). We are reminded that we can take nothing from this world; our soul and eternity are the crucial factors (Luke 12: 20). Money cannot provide justification before God (Proverbs 11: 4), only Jesus can provide the riches of righteousness.
 
     The gap between the rich and poor keeps growing and it will be the poor and marginalized that get hurt most by the economic climate impacted by the pandemic. In this letter we read that there is another way and that the Church and individual Christians have a role to play. The final part of this letter is a charge to Timothy, to us all. Today’s preceding passage encourages us to find the source of true contentment before urging a godly pursuit that will benefit humankind. Before we consider that challenge let us first place our hearts in God’s hands, the location of true treasure, and the only real foundation for life.
​
To Ponder: Where does your heart tell you that your treasure is located: in Christ; in financial wealth; in another area? How can the teaching in this passage encourage you to know true contentment in God?
 
Pray: Loving Lord, I lay down at the foot of your cross all my desires, problems, distractions, worries and needs. I pray for your provision in accordance with your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. As I kneel in your presence I ask that in faith, I may move towards your contentment and place my heart in the treasured hands of my Saviour. Amen
 
Praise: In the presence of Jehovah
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgQX4lDzpWg
Draw me close to you
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d_oYr-P16M