1 Timothy 6:6-8 -- Be content

To catch up on our adventure through 1 Timothy, click here and read from the bottom post up.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV) :

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Paul takes the words "godliness" and "gain" from verse 5 ("who think that godliness is a means to financial gain") and twists their meaning in verse 6 ("But godliness with contentment is great gain").

He says that false teachers use supposed "godliness" as a way to profit financially--"financial gain." But actually, godliness is a means to great gain--if accompanied by contentment.

He says if we have our needs met ("food and clothing"), we can be satisfied and content. It's helpful to distinguish between needs and wants. For most of us, our discontent centers on wants, not needs. And when it does center on needs, it's only because we squandered our money on wants and neglected to budget for emergency needs!

Paul says to be content with what you have. It's helpful to refer to another passage by Paul here, in Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV):

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [12] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. [13] I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Things are transient. We entered the world with nothing and we'll leave it with nothing (Ecclesiastes 5:15). Enjoy the things of this life while you have them, certainly (1 Timothy 4:4), but learn to be content no matter the situation.