1Timothy 6
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
This word ‘perverse’ means that which is directed away from that which is right or good, perverted, obstinately persisting in an error or fault. The Gk word for ‘corrupt’ means to rot thoroughly. This verse says that people with corrupt minds have perverse reasoning that gain is godliness. They reason in their minds that gaining material wealth and prosperity is godliness. They measure the godliness of a person by how much material wealth they have. If you have few possessions or riches you are viewed as not very godly compared to those who have a lot.
This perfectly describes the state of Christianity today. Many of us are like this. We pursue gain. We pursue material wealth and wellbeing ahead of anything else. Assuming that this is godliness. That our godliness is measured by how much riches we gather. Paul calls this perverse reasoning or corrupt (rotten) minds.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
This is what true wealth really is. We only find true wealth and peace in godliness and contentment. It's not making more money, having more, possessions, new cars, homes, etc. True wealth consists of godliness that produces a contented heart. Having a rich spirit and soul is great gain. Things will not make us happy. You will always want more things. People will not make you happy. A good job, a big business, a powerful ministry will not make you truly happy. Only godliness which is being like God in action and thought, plus contentment, is the recipe for true happiness.
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Lk12:15
Life does not consist in the abundance of things that we possess. There is more to life than how much money is in the bank, how good your job is, how nice your car is, how big your house is etc. In the long run what matters most is relationship with God and relationship with people. no one at the end of their life ever regrets not making more money. People regret not preparing for eternity, not spending more time with their families etc. this is because that’s what truly matters.
It is having an intimate relationship with the true God through Jesus Christ, that gives real contentment and rejoices our hearts.
Now many people have this false belief that godliness means not enjoying life and having fun. There are entire religious orders that have been founded on the belief that to be truly godly, they had to deny themselves of all pleasure and live miserably in monasteries and convents doing nothing but singing and praying. That's not biblical.
Hebrews 1:9 tells us that Jesus was the happiest most joyful person of His time. “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Peter said if we were in faith we would have joy unspeakable and full of glory “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” 1Pet1:8
Paul tells us to rejoice always “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Phil4:4
Contentment describes the condition of being satisfied. Things cannot satisfy you. People cannot satisfy you. Satisfaction can only come when the needs of the heart are met. That can take place regardless of what is happening to us in the physical realm. We can be content regardless of how people treat us.
Actually the context of all that we are discussing in 1Timothy 6 is the issue of slavery. Paul is saying that slaves can be content even without freedom.
We can see this from Paul’s own life.
Philippians 4
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Paul learned to be content in whatever situation he found himself in at the time. He wrote the book of Philippians while in prison and yet he was absolutely thrilled and filled with joy at the goodness of God and the spreading of the gospel that was going on. In fact this epistle has been called by many the epistle of joy. There is more mention of joy and rejoicing in that letter than in any letter he had written.
Godliness with contentment is great gain. A commitment, a love, a pursuit of God is great gain. Wherever we are and whatever we have we need to be content with God.
This doesn’t mean you are content staying where you are but you are content being there. You are content being where God wants you to be at that particular time and doing what God wants you to do.
If you can’t trust God and be content where you are right now, you won’t trust God and be content where He is taking you. If you are not content with what you have right now you won’t be content even if you get more.
God doesn’t want your contentment and trust to come from where you are or what you have or what you are doing but to come from Him and relationship with Him only. Learning to be content in God will insulate you from the love of money. It will protect your heart from materialism and self-centeredness and self-aggrandizement. Your trust will be in God and not in what you have.
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