Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 63

Paul Teaches Timothy to Nulify Error and Greed in the Church Part 4

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. KJV

Paul is going to remind Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation how absurd, awful, and arrogant are the men and women who have adopted this health, wealth, and prosperity gospel as if it were the True Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by what he writes in these next three (3) verses beginning with these words, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6) (KJV). The idea here from the Apostle is that a child of God should be always and at all times seeking the wisdom of God found only in close communication with God the Holy Spirit through the reading and studying of His Holy Word and not what he or she must do to make themselves more and more earthly money that will eventually take wings and fly away as will all earthly physical and material things. The English word 'contentment' the Apostle associates here with godliness is translated by the Greek word autarkeia (used only one other time in the New Testament) which means self satisfaction, that is, (abstractly) contentedness, or (concretely) a competence: - contentment, sufficiency. In other words, a child of God should find his or her satisfaction, sufficiency, and sustainment in the Word of God and communion with God the Father through prayer and not in the temporary things of this world that is going to be destroyed as described by the Apostle Peter with these ominous words, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10) (Amplified Bible). Let us remember and meditate on these words of the Apostle Paul that he wrote to the Church @ Philippi speaking about how our Lord Jesus Christ had taught him to walk by faith and not by sight in whatever circumstance he found himself, "Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased {and} live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty {and} live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency {and} enough to spare or going without {and} being in want. I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." (Philippians 4:11-13) (KJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning godliness with contentment being great gain for the child of God, "Some account Christianity an advantageous profession for this world. In the sense they mean this is false; yet it is undoubtedly true that, though Christianity is the worst trade, it is the best calling in the world. Those that make a trade of it, merely to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed, and find it a sorry trade; but those that mind it as their calling, and make a business of it, will find it a gainful calling, for it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. The truth he lays down is that godliness with contentment is great gain. Some read it, godliness with a competency; that is, if a man have but a little in this world, yet, if he have but enough to carry him through it, he needs desire no more, his godliness with that will be his great gain. For a little which a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked, Psalms 37:16. We read it, godliness with contentment; godliness is itself great gain, it is profitable to all things; and, wherever there is true godliness, there will be contentment; but those have arrived at the highest pitch of contentment with their godliness are certainly the easiest happiest people in this world. Godliness with contentment, that is, Christian contentment (content must come from principles of godliness) is great gain; it is all the wealth in the world. He that is godly is sure to be happy in another world; and if withal he do by contentment accommodate himself to his condition in this world he has enough. Here we have, [1.] A Christian's gain; it is godliness with contentment, this is the true way to gain, yea, it is gain itself. [2.] A Christian's gain is great: it is not like the little gain of worldlings, who are so fond of a little worldly advantage. [3.] Godliness is ever accompanied with contentment in a great or less degree; all truly godly people have learned with Paul, in whatever state they are, to be therewith content, Philippians 4:11. They are content with what God allots for them, well knowing that this is best for them. Let us all then endeavour after godliness with contentment."

Paul now shows why godliness with contentment is such great gain by what he writes to Brother Timothy next, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:7) (KJV). I once read or heard Mark Cuban (the Businessman and owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team) say this, "Those who die with the most toys win." The Apostle Paul is here refuting, rebuffing, and rebuking such a stupid statement from a man who is obviously (at this point) still unforgiven, unregenerate, and unredeemed with the words in verse 7 above. I would here the late Evangelist Dr. Billy Graham quote someone from his past who made this very poignant, penetrating, and powerful statement, "I have never seen a U-Haul behind the funeral procession." And I might add that you never will because of what the Apostle reminds us of with these words to Brother Timothy and this is what Solomon (perhaps the richest man ever on the earth) wrote at the end of his earthly life, "As [the man] came forth from his mother's womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; and he will take away nothing for all his labor which he can carry in his hand. And this also is a serious {and} severe evil--that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he who labors for the wind?" (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16) (Amplified Bible). The idea Paul is affirming to Timothy and to we true believers today and of every era and generation is that we must reject those who teach and preach the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel as if it were the True Gospel and as he told Timothy and us in verse 5 withdraw ourselves from them because they are not serving our Lord Jesus Christ, but instead their own bellies or earthly appetites (Philippians 3:18-19). Here again is what Matthew Henry says concerning taking nothing out of this world, "This is a reason why we should be content with a little. [1.] Because we can challenge nothing as a debt that is due to us, for we came naked into the world. Whatever we have had since, we are obliged to the providence of God for it; but he that gave may take what and when He pleases. We had our beings, our bodies, our lives (which are more than meat, and which are more than raiment), when we came into the world, though we came naked, and brought nothing with us; may we not then be content while our beings and lives are continued to us, though we have not every thing we would have? We brought nothing with us into this world, and yet God provided for us, care was taken of us, we have been fed all our lives long unto this day; and therefore, when we are reduced to the greatest straits, we cannot be poorer than when we came into this world, and yet then we were provided for; therefore let us trust in God for the remaining part of our pilgrimage. [2.] We shall carry nothing with us out of this world. A shroud, a coffin, and a grave, are all that the richest man in the world can have from his thousands. Therefore why should we covet much? Why should we not be content with a little, because, how much soever we have, we must leave it behind us?"

So, Paul now tells Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation what in our earthly lives should bring to us contentment as he writes, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (1 Timothy 6:8) (KJV). The human body was designed by our Creator God the Father to run or function from the supply of food and water and also after the sin in the Garden of Eden we required clothing to cover our shame of nakedness (Genesis 3:7). Therefore, all the other things on this earth were placed here by God the Father for our enjoyment as the Apostle Paul is going to remind Timothy to remind the rich of this world later on in this same Chapter (1 Timothy 6:17). Here once again is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning being content with food and clothing, "Food and a covering, including habitation as well as raiment. Observe, If God give us the necessary supports of life, we ought to be content therewith, though we have not the ornaments and delights of it. If nature should be content with a little, grace should be content with less; though we have not dainty food, though we have not costly raiment, if we have but food and raiment convenient for us we ought to be content. This was Agur's prayer: Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me, Proverbs 30:8. Here we see, [1.] The folly of placing our happiness in these things, when we did not bring any thing into this world with us, and we can carry nothing out. What will worldlings do when death shall strip them of their happiness and portion, and they must take an everlasting farewell of all these things, on which they have so much doted? They may say with poor Micah, You have taken away my gods; and what have I more? Judges 18:24. [2.] The necessaries of life are the hounds of a true Christian's desire, and with these he will endeavour to be content; his desires are not insatiable; no, a little, a few comforts of this life, will serve him, and these may hope to enjoy: Having food and raiment."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…