Many who are reading this probably owns and regularly read a Bible that has the verses laid out in paragraphs. When studying God’s Word this is of great help to better understand the particular thought or theme of the portion of scripture we are reading. Many paragraphs in scripture begin with the word “but” which ties in or refers to the previous paragraph.
In the New International Version of the Bible in apostle Paul’s first letter to his spiritual son Timothy in chapter six, contrary to some academic writing style guides, has two paragraphs that begin the the word “but”, the first one begins verse six, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”. And the other begins verse eleven, “But you, man of God…”.
I am not bringing this up to dispute the grammar of a style of writing, but as students of God’s Word this is a simple but important indicator to take note that to what is going to be said is going to tie into what was said in the previous paragraph.
In the paragraph starting with verse three and ends with verse five, Paul is telling the young leader Timothy (1Tim. 4:11) about those who he calls teachers of false doctrine. In this paragraph he points out at least seven negative characteristics of these persons. The last one that Paul mentions is in verse five, “and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” William Barclay in his commentary says this last negative characteristic of these teachers of false doctrine is what they do “commercializes religion”. He continues to say, “He is out for profit. He looks on his teaching and preaching, not as a vocation (having being called by God) but as a career.” The New Living Translation says it this way, “To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.”
In the next paragraph Paul continues and ties in the word “gain’ with the correct application from a believer’s redeemed heart and mind. But he also continues in this next paragraph on the topic of wrong and harmful attitudes and actions towards material positions, material gain and money.
1 Timothy 6:6-10, 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
In verse six Paul points out something very important, that we as Christians need to understand and experience with our relationship with God. Paul uses a word that we can easily overlook, “contentment”. “This refers to satisfaction with one’s circumstances.”, or “an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace in spite of outward circumstances.” In the context of this paragraph Paul refers to some things of this world that can give a person a temporary and or a wrong basis of contentment instead of true Godly contentment. Wersbe says the following about contentment in this context. “True contentment comes from godliness in the heart, not wealth in the hand. A person who depends on material things for peace and assurance will never be satisfied, for material things have a way of losing their appeal.”
What gives you contentment? Paul says it is “godliness” that is important, not just contentment by itself. “Godliness means more than religious profession and godly conduct; it also means the reality and power of a vital union with God.”, in other words, it is our relationship with Christ.
In Philippians 4:11b-13 Paul tells the church in Philippi how he had to learn about being content and the source and strength of his contentment which is Christ. “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
The spiritual wealth or riches that we have as Christians which gives us contentment is our relationship with Christ in our life.
As Christians, we should realize that the only thing (person) we have whiling living in this world that we can take with us when we leave this world in death or in the rapture, is Jesus in our lives. Paul makes it clear to us in verse seven that everything that we acquired for ourselves, stays here when it is our time to leave this earth. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
In verse eight, to some just being content with the basic things of life might seem very naïve. However, Jesus in Matthew 6:31-34 gives us the priorities for a Christian’s life in relation to these basic things that we need for life. But how many Christians still worry because they are not trusting God? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
When Paul says, “People” and “Some People” he is referring to Christians in verses nine and ten who have accepted and adapted a worldly mentality of which has become an idol and a lifestyle to achieve and maintain wealth no matter how much it compromises and or harms their relationship with Jesus and with other believers.
What is meant by idol? A devotion to things or ideals which have become more important than God in a believer’s relationship with Christ. Hayford’s Bible handbook also gives us a good explanation that fits in well to our contemporary culture and also is a good application to the context of the paragraph of verses six to ten. “Besides material objects such as houses, land, and cars, idols can be people, popular heroes, or those whom we love. Objects of worship can even include things like fame, reputation, hobbies, pride, and deeds done in the name of the Lord.”
In the last two verses of the paragraph Paul is not judging or condemning Christians who are wealthy, Paul is pointing out nine consequences of a Christian who has made money and what can be obtained with it their idol-wealth and obsession to gain it. 9 People who want to get rich a) fall into temptation b) and a trap c) and into many foolish d) and harmful desires e) that plunge men into ruin f) and destruction. 10 g) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, h) have wandered from the faith i) and pierced themselves with many griefs.
As Christians let us continue to learn to manage and seek God for the opportunities to use the money and material things that He has given us for His purposes to bless His Church.
Pastor John
