GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1Timothy 6:6).
There
are many who have embraced a godly lifestyle and maintain a good relationship
with God, but they have not learned the secret of being content. In the sixth chapter of his first letter to
Timothy, the Apostle Paul makes a strong argument for contentment. He tells Timothy, “…we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out. And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:7, 8). There are those today who preach a prosperity
doctrine which suggests that if we serve God faithfully, He will reward us with
riches in this life. Nothing could be
further from the apostolic teaching that Paul presents in his letters. Paul is very plain spoken on the subject when
he writes, “But they that will be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee
these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:9-11). The
accumulation of wealth and things only weighs us down and hinders us from
running the race that the Lord has called us to run. Those who preach such a gospel have laid a snare
for the souls of those who accept such a lie.
Paul
knew what he was talking about. By means
of a divine vision, the Holy Spirit had directed him to minister the Gospel to
the people of Macedonia. Philippi was a
city of that region where Paul planted a church amidst considerable
opposition. As a result of boldly
proclaiming Jesus as Lord, He and his fellow-laborer Silas had been beaten,
shackled, and cast into the local prison; but God delivered them in miraculous
fashion. Between the time that Paul had planted
the Philippian Church and wrote his letter to them, he had suffered many
things. He assured them in his letter,
though, that “…the things which happened
unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel…” (Philippians
1:12). Even in the worst of
circumstances Paul looked for the hand of God to work things together for good
and bring glory to the Gospel. Paul was
writing this letter from Rome where he was incarcerated pending his final trial
before the Caesar Nero. The outcome of
that trial was uncertain, and Paul debated the pros and cons of being released
versus being condemned and martyred.
It
was Paul’s desire to encourage the Philippian believers to trust God through
every difficulty. Whatever they were
facing – the highs and the lows – Paul wanted them to learn to be content with
God’s plan for them. He told them that
he was, “…confident of this very thing,
that He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of
Jesus Christ...” (Philippians 1:6 NKJV). Jesus, the author of our salvation, is also
the One Who will finish His work in us!
Knowing that these young believers were going through (and would
continue to go through) trials of their faith, Paul told them, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of
Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are
going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”
(Philippians 1:29, 30 NIV). With all of
this as a backdrop, we can understand Paul’s urgency in instructing the
Philippians on contentment.
In
the fourth chapter, Paul writes, “…I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians
4:11). This degree of contentment does
not come all at once. Paul says it is learned. He then reveals the type of circumstances that
teach him to be content. He says, “…everywhere and in all
things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:12).
Literally anything and everything can be used by the
Holy Spirit as a learning opportunity to teach us to be content. By faith we learn that God really does work
all things together for good to those who love Him. Therefore, Paul is able to boldly declare, “I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.” (verse 4:13). Paul’s confidence was steadfast that God would
only allow those things into his life which would ultimately work His divine character
in him. He wanted the Philippians to
understand this as well as all who would read these words from the first
century right down to you and me.
There
are steps we must learn in order to develop contentment in our lives. The Apostle is more than happy to share them
with us. If we diligently apply them, we
will find ourselves well on the way to being truly contented no matter what we
encounter in life.
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I
say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4). This is the first step that we must
learn. Rejoice simply means to be glad
and to be joyful. Scripture tells us
that “…the joy of the LORD is your
strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy is
different from happiness. Happiness
often focuses on outward conditions
in our present circumstances while joy is an inward gladness that is focused on God’s promises now and in the
future. “…for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame…” Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Our rejoicing must be “in the Lord” and not in our circumstances. We can only find peace and rest in the
finished work of Christ. Because He has
overcome, then we, too, can overcome.
His victory is our victory!
When
are we to rejoice? Paul says we should
rejoice in the Lord always. Rejoicing is a deliberate choice. It isn’t a feeling followed by an action: it
is an action that is then followed by a feeling. When I am experiencing difficulties, I will
not feel like rejoicing; but when I
remember that God is in control of all the uncontrollable things that enter my
life, then I have cause to rejoice and can then feel God’s peace and joy
flooding my soul. When Paul and Silas
were beaten and thrown in the prison at Philippi, they began to sing and praise
God so loudly that the other prisoners heard them. They were in physical pain, and their outcome
was not yet known; but they trusted in God that He was in control and had a
plan. That night, the very foundations
of that prison were shaken, their shackles were loosed, and all the doors
sprung open! The jailor and his whole
household were saved, and Paul and Silas were set free. But they were rejoicing even before any of
that happened!
“Let your moderation be known unto all
men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5).
This is the second step of learning contentment. It is significant that the Bible specifically
mentions that the other prisoners heard Paul’s and Silas’ songs and praise in
the prison. This implies that the
prisoners were watching them to see what their reaction to this extreme
situation would be. The attitude of Paul
and Silas was an open testament of their faith and patience in
tribulation. They could have reacted
much differently, from “poor me” to “those dirty rats!” But they understood that the Lord was at
hand. He was there with them!
He was involved intimately in their lives because they belonged to
Him. This is such an important lesson in
finding contentment in our lives. We, as
Christians, should never be
given to extreme positions or reactions.
The Lord is near; He knows what’s going on! Paul said, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:16). This is the lesson of moderation, and it is
necessary if we are to learn to be content.
“Be careful [anxious; full of care] for
nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6). The best answer to anxiety is prayer. When we feel like we are without direction,
and have no control over what’s going on around us, it’s then that we need to
go to God. Stress and anxiety should
become cues for us that it is time to lay our care at the Master’s feet. This is the third step toward true
contentment. Notice that Paul and Silas
didn’t just sing praises to God in the prison: they also prayed. “And at
midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners
heard them.” (Acts 16:25). There are
no exceptions when it comes to anxiety.
Paul says, “Be careful for nothing.” Oh, and when we go to prayer and
supplication, we must remember to give thanks to God in full assurance that He
hears and that He will answer.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).
This is both a promise and a result of applying the first three
steps. Doing so allows God’s peace to
keep our hearts and minds from the useless and needless fretting that anxiety
brings. Paul refers to this peace as
passing all understanding. That’s
because, even in the midst of great trials, we can feel peace knowing that God
is in control. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give
unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid.” (John 14:27).
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
Deliberately filling our minds with good and lovely things is a good way
to combat the negative thoughts that the devil would like to plant in our minds
to discourage us and fill us with care.
Meditating on things that are based on truth and on God’s promises
according to His Word is a good way to crowd our wrong thoughts. Honesty, equity, purity, virtue, and things
that produce praise to God: these all are ways to fight the good fight and
maintain contentment. Our mind is, after
all, the first place that the enemy will seek to assail us.
Finally,
Paul offers this exhortation to the Church at Philippi: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and
seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4: 9). Paul was an excellent example of all the
things which he taught others to do. The
Philippians knew Paul’s life intimately because he lived among them for 3
months. He was well aware of the fact
that his trials provided him with opportunities to minister the grace of God to
others who were going through troubles.
Paul said as much in a letter to the Corinthian Church. There he wrote, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who
comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which
are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For
as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by
Christ. And whether we be
afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the
enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be
comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” (2 Corinthians
1:3-6).
Godliness
with contentment is, indeed, great gain.
It is a learned discipline; but if we follow and apply the steps that
Paul provides for us, we can see a great improvement in our attitude in a short
time. Remember, we can do all things
through Christ Who strengthens us! Amen.
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