1 Timothy 6:6-10 says,...
Today's verses are 1 Timothy 6:6-10, which read,
v.6-8 - But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
The word "but" signals a comparison. Yesterday we covered that Paul instructed Timothy about those who were teaching another gospel, rejecting the words of the Bible and of Jesus and not living a life of godliness patterned after them. A list of actions that come from that kind of life was given and one was the hypocrisy to live a life that looks holy but isn't for the purpose of some personal gain or agenda. Now Paul gives Timothy the flip side from that kind of life with the "but" statement.
A truly godly life is a means of great gain when contentment is married with it. Contentment is a word that describes that person as satisfied and sufficient with what God has provided. When you can look at what God has provided and it is He that has provided them then it is great gain to living your life in honor of Him. Paul speaks to Timothy of the basic necessities of life, food and clothing, as enough to be content. We rest on the fact that we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it. Verse 7 is that Bible reference that is referred to by many who don't even know where it came from when they speak of the finality of life.
I can be content and live a godly life after Christ in whatever state I am. He has provided what I need to survive and then He has also provided what I need when I am not here, a Savior to bow to, to be given eternal life.
v.9, 10 - 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. 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 griefs.
Here is another "but" verse. The flip side of being content is this thirst for more with the emphasis of money or wealth getting us what we think we need to have to be content. It is not God providing the contentment but us striving to obtain it through our means. It is a trap, a snare set by the devil, which brings harmful desires and plunges us into ruin and destruction. That love of money makes us long for it more than we long for what God provides and therefore we wander from the faith and feel the effects of our actions. More money doesn't solve the problem. More money in the wrong way actually makes more problems. God puts money into our hands at times to supply our needs but not for us to worship.
How content are you with what God has provided? Do you truly see Him as the One who has supplied what you have? If you do, you have set yourself up to live a life patterned after Him in godliness and holiness. If you are constantly pursuing more and looking for that "more" to bring contentment, then be ready for headaches and griefs that come with what those things require of you.
My devotion to God produces godliness and contentment. My devotion to the love of money produces grief and a distant relationship with my Creator. Side by side, there is no comparison to what I should be longing for. Thanks be to Paul for the "but" statements that he has given Timothy in this passage of Scripture and that more is coming tomorrow. Let's pray.
"Lord, the lure of more is so powerful but it is even more powerful when the lure of more is not about money and possessions but about You. Help us not to settle for the lesser of the two. Help us to experience the contentment that can only come with a relationship with You who provide what we need and then give us a life to live here of purpose and then into eternity of worship with You and for You. Correct my vision and devotion today to the right object of worship. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.6-8 - But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
The word "but" signals a comparison. Yesterday we covered that Paul instructed Timothy about those who were teaching another gospel, rejecting the words of the Bible and of Jesus and not living a life of godliness patterned after them. A list of actions that come from that kind of life was given and one was the hypocrisy to live a life that looks holy but isn't for the purpose of some personal gain or agenda. Now Paul gives Timothy the flip side from that kind of life with the "but" statement.
A truly godly life is a means of great gain when contentment is married with it. Contentment is a word that describes that person as satisfied and sufficient with what God has provided. When you can look at what God has provided and it is He that has provided them then it is great gain to living your life in honor of Him. Paul speaks to Timothy of the basic necessities of life, food and clothing, as enough to be content. We rest on the fact that we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it. Verse 7 is that Bible reference that is referred to by many who don't even know where it came from when they speak of the finality of life.
I can be content and live a godly life after Christ in whatever state I am. He has provided what I need to survive and then He has also provided what I need when I am not here, a Savior to bow to, to be given eternal life.
v.9, 10 - 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. 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 griefs.
Here is another "but" verse. The flip side of being content is this thirst for more with the emphasis of money or wealth getting us what we think we need to have to be content. It is not God providing the contentment but us striving to obtain it through our means. It is a trap, a snare set by the devil, which brings harmful desires and plunges us into ruin and destruction. That love of money makes us long for it more than we long for what God provides and therefore we wander from the faith and feel the effects of our actions. More money doesn't solve the problem. More money in the wrong way actually makes more problems. God puts money into our hands at times to supply our needs but not for us to worship.
How content are you with what God has provided? Do you truly see Him as the One who has supplied what you have? If you do, you have set yourself up to live a life patterned after Him in godliness and holiness. If you are constantly pursuing more and looking for that "more" to bring contentment, then be ready for headaches and griefs that come with what those things require of you.
My devotion to God produces godliness and contentment. My devotion to the love of money produces grief and a distant relationship with my Creator. Side by side, there is no comparison to what I should be longing for. Thanks be to Paul for the "but" statements that he has given Timothy in this passage of Scripture and that more is coming tomorrow. Let's pray.
"Lord, the lure of more is so powerful but it is even more powerful when the lure of more is not about money and possessions but about You. Help us not to settle for the lesser of the two. Help us to experience the contentment that can only come with a relationship with You who provide what we need and then give us a life to live here of purpose and then into eternity of worship with You and for You. Correct my vision and devotion today to the right object of worship. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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