1 Timothy 6:6-Now godliness with contentment is great gain. NKJV
We’ve come to the end of the book of 1 Timothy! Thus far, we have learned about the special relationship that Paul and Timothy shared and its impact on their work in the kingdom of God. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him to hold true to the gospel of the kingdom while standing firmly against the false teachings permeating the church at Ephesus. In Chapter 2, we discussed why Paul told Timothy that women should be silent in the church, and it had nothing to do with them being able to teach and preach the word of the Lord. We’ve learned about the mystery of godliness and how Paul shared with Timothy the qualities of spiritual leadership and how to choose those who would lead the people of God.
By Chapter 4, Paul warns Timothy that many will leave the faith because they would fall prey to the deceiving spirits and doctrine of demons designed to pull them off course. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that these days of darkness were coming so that he could prepare his heart for them. And, in my most recent blog, we learned the importance of caring for one another, showing respect to one another, and taking care of our spiritual leaders. For such a short letter, Paul packed a whole lot of information in it!
Now, in this last section of the letter, Paul returns to his original subject, in which all of these other things actually are included, godliness.
Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
1 Timothy 6:1 NKJV
In the past, this scripture, and others similar to it, have been used to keep people in subjugation and to tell them they should be happy to be there because God ordained it to be. Well, that is not what Paul was advocating here because slavery is not the heart of God. Although slavery has been happening amongst mankind for millennials, that doesn’t mean it is God-approved, any more than the sin that plagues our societies is His will. God’s heart is that all men be free, that’s why He came in the flesh to redeem us!
What Paul was saying to Timothy and the saints at Ephesus was no matter what their place in society was at that time, godliness required that they honor those whom they served. It would be synonymous with us working at a job today. Whether we are the employee or the employer, godliness requires that we honor one another, especially those who share our faith.
I had a horrible boss. But she told me that she was a believer during my interview, which I later had serious doubts about! Let me tell you, she was probably the worst person I have ever worked for! It was disheartening because one day I became the focus of her meanspiritedness. As I prayed about the situation, I was receiving counsel from those I worked with to bring a case against her. But one day during my prayer time, I heard God remind me that we are not to take another believer to court before the unrighteous. Not really believing that she was a believer, I knew that God had spoken to me. So I resigned my position because I couldn’t honor her anymore. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I had a great peace about it. As a result, I later changed my career path, and that has been a real blessing in my life. I wonder if I would have made that change if I had not gone through that situation because I am thrilled with where I am today? But what I don’t wonder about at all, is did I honor God, because I know that I did!
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing…
1 Timothy 6:3-4a NKJV
As mentioned above, Paul has not detoured from his original conversation of godliness. Everything included in this letter falls under the theme of godliness. Now Paul is telling Timothy that anyone who teaches anything contrary to what he had written in this letter was teaching against the concept of godliness. He went on to point out that they were proud and really didn’t know anything! That’s some strong language! But Paul wanted Timothy and those in the church to understand the absolute importance of living a godly lifestyle! And that message is equally as vital for every believer today!
Paul makes the statement that “godliness with contentment is great gain!” Again, some use this verse out of context to convince people that poverty and godliness are partners in faith. That’s not what Paul was stating here. Paul wanted Timothy and the church at Ephesus to understand that godliness had nothing to do with the things they possessed or did not possess because they couldn’t take any of that stuff with them! He wrote:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10
Money and material things are not a person’s problem. Having money doesn’t make you ungodly, and not having money doesn’t make you godly. It’s easy to take a vow of poverty when others are providing for your every need. But for those of us who live in a society where we have to work to eat, money is valuable. I work hard all week long, and while I like my job, I wouldn’t do it without the paycheck that is attached to it! Paul wasn’t talking about making money because he worked as a tentmaker to keep people from feeling obligated to give him an offering. (Too many pastors are working hard all week to provide for their families, while still having to provide for the spiritual needs of the church)!
Paul stated that the love of money is the problem, not money itself. And you can have a love for money at any economic status known to man. Greed is an ungodly characteristic that leads to all kinds of evil. And both the poor and the rich can have a spirit of greed.
Money has such a powerful allure that Jesus referred to it as a god:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 NKJV
Mammon means riches, and riches is translated to money in all of our minds. Jesus points out more vividly what Paul was getting at. The love of riches draws us down a path of ungodliness to the love of another god. We begin to see ourselves as being untouchable, more important than others, above the law, and therefore, we will do anything to gain more riches and to protect the riches that we have. There is no peace or contentment in that because you don’t actually have the riches, they have you! Paul wrote this type of life has caused many hearts to be pierced with many sorrows.
Paul wanted Timothy and the saints at Ephesus to understand that when your life is a pursuit of godliness, that’s where the true riches lie! Peace of mind is more valuable than the money in a bank account. Having a relationship with the One True God is more precious than riches. Living a lifestyle where there’s no need to look over your shoulders, sneak around, lie and cheat, or sell out to the devil brings far more contentment and gain in life than the wealth of this world. And that message rings true for each of us today! Godliness with peace brings much gain into our lives. Wonderful Jesus!
Wonderful Jesus! 