You might think that when you have plenty, contentment will come automatically -not so. We must learn contentment in every financial situation we are in. In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul describes how he found contentment when he had little, as well as when he was prosperous. (See my post titled, Contentment, and discover Paul’s secret.)
In this paper, we will look at some principles to help us when we have plenty. Our primary text from the Bible is found in 1st Timothy.
1 Timothy 6:6-19
6 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.
11 “But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
17 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”
Some important principles in 1 Timothy 6 about contentment are the following, listed with the verse they came from:
- The real gain is godliness. (6)
- The spirit lasts -you can’t take it with you. (7)
- Minimal Contentment -food and covering. (8)
- The desire for riches -is a temptation. (9)
- Loving money -is a source of evil. (10)
- Flee materialism -seek godliness. (11)
- Walk in faith -honor God. (12-16)
- God’s supply -enjoy it without hoping in it. (17)
- Good works -should be your treasure. (18, 19)
The Principles
The Real Gain is Godliness
Paul is answering those who pursue godliness presumably in order to pad their bank accounts or gain a position of power. The real gain in godliness is not materialism or power, but the life of holiness and knowing the One who made us. This gain is accomplished when it is accompanied by contentment which requires faith.
The Greek word for contentment here is autarkeia, meaning self-sufficiency, and is used here in a good sense to mean, “a mind contented with its lot.”1
The Spirit Lasts
The spirit life is all that is lasting. This becomes evident when we contemplate our beginning and end.
“The godly man is rich indeed. For he wants nothing in this world but what God has given him, and has acquired riches which, unlike the riches of this world, he can take away with him .”2
Minimal Contentment
If we learn to be content with food and covering, then anything additional is abundance. As good stewards of that which God provides, we can use our resources to honor our Father.
The Desire for Riches
The desire for riches is a temptation that can lead to wrong desires and destruction. Our desire should be a full inward life, not the outward. The material world will not bring lasting happiness or satisfaction no matter how much we try to make it happen.
Loving Money
Loving money is a source of evil that can shipwreck our faith. Money itself is just a tool and giving it improper status as an idol creates many problems. As Jesus said in Luke 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
We can’t control some of the sources of evil affecting our lives. But this one we can control by not loving our money.
Flee Materialism
We should flee materialism and seek the spiritual traits of godliness. Our spiritual life is incorporeal but can be observed in the effects of godliness in the way we live.
Jesus speaks to this unseen life in Luke 12:15 when He says, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Walk in Faith
Walk in faith and honor God. Our eternal life has already started so we honor our heavenly Father by faith.
The life of faith is a battle. We rely on God as our provider and not ourselves.
God’s Supply
Enjoy what God has supplied without being proud or putting our hope in it. We do the work God has given us to do, and we depend upon Him. Boasting is misplaced because He provides our abilities and opportunities. Our thanks should go to Him.
Good Works
Our treasure should be in good works, and being generous, and ready to share. This will allow the building of a godly treasure which is true life. We can use our resources to buy friends (in a righteous way), demonstrating love to a broken world.
Conclusion
Our contentment should not be based on how much we possess. Rather, it should based on our faith and relationship with God.
When we use the resources God has given in a proper way, it adds to our sense of fulfillment. We enjoy the gifts He has supplied certainly, but also can enjoy sharing with others.
Using our resources to build the kingdom of God will bring us the greatest benefit, as well as benefiting those around us.
1 Vine’s Expository Dictionary
2 Pulpit Commentary