• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Text: 1 Timothy 6:6

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

This word of advice arose from Paul’s teaching concerning “godliness”. The false teachers were promoting the idea of obtaining gain from godliness. Paul elaborated on the subject of “godliness” further in the following text.

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
1 Timothy 6:6-7

1. What is “great gain?”

a) To the false teachers it is obtaining wealth (1 Timothy 6:5).

b) To the apostle Paul material wealth is not “great gain”.

2. True “great gain”

Two features are presented:-

a) When we see “godliness” in our life:-

i) When God is at the centre of our life.

ii) When we live righteously.

iii) When we display Christ-likeness.

b) When we have “contentment”.

i) We are no longer striving to get wealth.

ii) When we are no longer covetous.

iii) When we are not envious of the wealth that others possess.

iv) When we are truly happy with our lot in life.

3. With reference to material wealth

a) “We brought nothing into the world”

i) This is a bald-face fact.

ii) This is stating the obvious.

b) “And it is certain that we can carry nothing out”

i) This is a reference to death.

ii) We cannot carry anything away with us when we die.

iii) Why then is there so much focus on seeing wealth as “great gain?”