Contentment is of great gain: 1 Timothy 6:3-10

Growing up, my family did not always have a lot of money. In fact, in my early years I can remember all the fun I used to have simply with boxes. I got used to not always having the fanciest of things or even lots of new things. I was taught to treasure what I did have.

I compare that with the view of some people today who always need to get the newest thing. They are not content with something unless they have the best and as soon as someone gets a newer or better version, they have to have it. Contentment should not be based on circumstances or things because that is fleeting.

Contentment is at the core of this passage. Contentment that is of great gain. But what gain? What does this contentment look like? Paul identifies different situations that were present in the church that had to do with right and wrong understandings of contentment.

We need to go back and remember that Ephesus, where Timothy’s church was located, was known for several things – it was an educational hub for general learning and mystical arts, and it was home to the temple of Artemis. People came there from all around for trade and business and worship. This was a very busy place where money and prosperity were ripe.

One main source of income and prosperity for people was the silver trade, specifically in relation to statues for the temple of Artemis. The book of Acts, chapter 19, tells of the commotion that occurred because of what Paul had been preaching and how one specific silversmith, Demetrius, riled up the crowd because he did not want people to stop buying idols.

Given the teachings of Paul and Timothy against idolatry, the area would have suffered in the silver trade a bit with people being told not to buy statues because they should only be worshiping the one true God.  This was the issue Demetrius had and wanted addressed.

Couple this with the fact that as a hub of learning, many a “wise” teacher or professional speaker would come through the area. It was common practice at that time for skilled speakers to get paid to come and talk on a topic, even going so far as to speak about random non-sense just to dazzle the crowd.

The speakers were so popular that they could pack out stadiums. Their skills in debate and eloquence of speech were such that almost no one would try and argue with them except for those like them who wanted to raise their reputation. Either way, money was to be made.

The idea of paying a speaker is not in itself a bad thing. Even the church at the time recognized that those that were gifted in teaching should be paid for their services and it was known in church circles that the stipend was good. In fact, it was a major draw for speakers

This meant that some people were operating out of greed and a desire for monetary gain. They didn’t have a desire to preach about Jesus but rather to appear to be godly and make money from it. 1 Peter 5:2, 1 Tim 3:3,8 Titus 1:7 all warn about the dangers of improper attitude.

This is why the apostle Paul’s comments were so important:

Verses 3-5: If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.

He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

This is the third time in this letter that the apostle Paul has addressed the idea of false teachers. It might seem like overkill but consider the situation of today. How many preachers are seen on TV or Facebook discussing the prosperity or health and wealth gospel? How many times has someone heard about “love offerings” to help with prayer requests or “seed offerings” to bless the speaker?

Some are not as blatant about this but may use odd interpretations of scripture or words and phrases that sound Biblical but do not line up with scripture (The Lord helps them that help themselves IS NOT BIBLICAL). The latter are appearing more frequently in churches that accept and preach New Age ideas mixed with a bit of scripture.

The point of this is not to name and shame anyone particular but to remind us that there are still today wolves in sheep’s clothing that are teaching different doctrines and teaching that godliness is a means of financial gain. We need to be careful about who we listen to and who we allow to speak into our lives. We must weigh up what is said by every speaker, including the ones here, to make sure it is in accords with the sound words of Jesus Christ.

To make the point even more, the apostle Paul describes these false teachers as being sick or unhealthy and depraved. This does not mean that these people are beyond saving but rather they are dangerous enough that what they do can infect others, spreading the sickness around. Jude 4-16 paints a very graphic picture of the dangers and judgement of false teachers.

This brings us to the first of three questions to pose this morning in regard to the text – which is What is the reason behind the pursuit of contentment?

This is not to be accusatory or make you doubt contentment you may have. It is simply a question to use when listening to others and when making decisions. Is the reason to with success and feeling better about yourself? Is it to glorify yourself or God? Is there a hidden motive in the person?

Apply this to the false teachers and preachers of today who just want the money or who have another agenda. Apply this to the cults and other religions we have been speaking about in bible study.

Maybe this needs to be applied to a momentary or temporary instance. If you are considering a change of job for example, the reason could be monetary, stress related, necessary or any number of other reasons. The thing to do is ask why.

 Are you spending money on a lottery ticket because of all the great things you want to do with the money or because you just desire to have more money? Are you eating because you are hungry or because you are stressed? Are you watching a show because it has a draw for you that you know is not healthy? Are you giving a friend advice because they need it or because you want to feel good about yourself?

This is not to put yourself in a place where you have to question everything and doubt the good, but rather to help in those times when you need to be clear about what God is saying regarding a situation. It is to help you be the best example of Jesus in every situation so that your character is developed in the right way.

The second question to pose with this is What fruits does your contentment produce?

Verses 6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content

On the surface, this idea from the apostle Paul is what many have understood – that contentment is not found in the material world. Yet Paul is pushing past the thought of the day that it is self-focused, that is derived from within. It is actually from God. It is not a contentment we earn or get through some special means. It comes from total reliance on God, leaning on Him for everything.

When the contentment is God-given and coupled with a right attitude of godliness, then the gain is experienced. The peace, love, joy, gentleness, selflessness, and such are shown in our lives because we know that though God, we have been given everything. The fruits of a healthy walk with God will be seen. The opposite would be true of those whose contentment is in the wrong thing, producing fruit that is not healthy. Matt 7:15-20 for the story of the tree with bad fruit.

The contentment is of great gain because it is not an add on to what we already have. It is not like earning a small amount of interest because of money you have put into the bank. The great gain is because ultimately, we have nothing that we bring to the table. We have ourselves.

We bring nothing with us in birth and can take nothing with us in death. There is a joy to be found in that! It is not dependent on me. God is not looking at what I bring to this or that my contentment in life will be based on some attribute of me. It is all about Him.

The other part to the fruit shown from our contentment will be about our focus on the material things. What attitudes will be shown towards what we are given and what we have? Food, clothing, and shelter are needed for basic living. What we do with them and how we respond to what else we are given will be the fruit of our contentment.

This portion has sometime been mistaken to mean that Paul was saying all should be poor. That is incorrect. When you have little, it is easier to be content with little because that is what you know. There are numerous examples though of the poor who do not know contentment. Having just the basics does not equate to contentment.

Verse 8 is about putting our hearts and minds in line with correct attitudes. If we are blessed with more, then we should thank God and use it wisely. If we have little, we should thank God and use it wisely. The ultimate view is that everything, my body and mind and possessions and everything, is a gift from God that I am being allowed to use. My attitude should be one of gratefulness not demanding or seeking for more.

The final question is What needs to change for us to be content?

Verses 9-10: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

A couple of key points on verse 10 which has proven to be misunderstood and misquoted scripture.

1. It is the love of money, not money itself that is a problem. Money can be used to glorify God and is not in and of itself a bad thing, being considered a blessing in Deut 8:18. It is when it becomes a desire, a focus or idol that it is a problem.
2. It is not THE root, but A root of ALL kinds of evil. The love of money can lead to hatred, killing, pornography, lusting, lying, dishonouring and more. It is a slippery slope that causes a lot of pain and hurt – Verse 10 of being pierced with many pangs.

When contentment is based on material gain, that is where the problems arise. When contentment is based on something other than God, we lose sight of what the real prize is. The danger is that it does not take much for other vices to creep in and take over.

The question being asked, what needs to change for us to be content, is not saying that we are not content or that we have contentment based on wrong ideas. It is important that we take the time to have passages like this speak to us and ask the difficult questions.

When you are facing difficulties, is there something blocking you because you need to let go? Are the troubles in your relationship because of financial issues that you won’t resolve? Are there vices you won’t let go of and allow God to be in control? Do you need to develop a quiet time to get to know God better so that you can depend on Him?

Taking the time to ask the questions about the reason and fruit of the contentment and what might need to change can help to shape your understanding of what true contentment in God looks like so that it will be of great gain, an everlasting gain and not a fleeting one that changes with the wind.

Contentment is of great gain when it is paired with godliness. The joys of being content far outweigh the fleeting joy that comes from the physical and material world. Being in a place of contentment that is based on God allows you to weather any storm, to remain steadfast in the midst of trials and to get to know the love of the Father even more because your eyes are focused on Him.

Before we finish, it would be good to take some time to reflect on these questions quietly and individually, giving specific time to the last one to offer up areas of our lives that may not be fully devoted to God. To assist with that I am going to ask the worship team to play through our final hymn without any words to give us time to reflect.

The final hymn is When peace like a river. For those that do not know the story behind this hymn, it was written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford. Previously, Horatio had known success with his wife and 5 children. In 1871, the family lost everything in the Great Fire of Chicago as well as losing their only son.

In 1873, Horatio sent his wife and daughters to England via ship for a holiday and he would follow. Unfortunately, the ship sank, and Horatio received a telegram from his wife letting him know only she survived.

When he was able to, he took a boat across and when he reached the spot the ship sank, he wrote the now famous hymn It is well with my soul. His contentment was not about material gain, and it was not in material things. It was in God, and it was of great gain. Let us now consider our God who richly loves us and wants us to rely on Him for everything.

Let us pray.