Into Contentment
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SEEKING CHANGE IN MY ATTITUDES |
From Coveting Into Contentment
Many years ago, when I was in my late teens, I went to visit a friend of mine from church, who had come home after a period of his service in the US Army. As we worked together outside his home he told me about his experiences. He had been based up in a very remote part of Maine. He told me that this particular base had the highest suicide rate among all the Army bases in America. I was surprised to hear this. I had never thought about soldiers killing themselves. I asked him “Why?” and he explained that it was due to boredom and the dreariness of nothing to do. All the things that guys like to chase after off-base were not there. So I asked him about himself and how did he handle it. His response was, “I am fine with it. I have learned the meaning of 1 Timothy 6:6. You know that verse. Right?”. Ummm, I have to admit that I did not know it. It says,
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
Today we will memorize this verse. When we are done today you will have it memorized and then you can remember it so that you can put it into practice.
One way to memorize things is to try to create pictures of the phrase.
For example, you could express this verse like an equation:
Godliness + Contentment = Great gain
Perhaps you can think of other pictures to illustrate this verse.
No matter how you look at it there are three main interrelated concepts in the verse:
1. Godliness
2. Contentment
3. Great gain
Let us start with godliness. Because of the context of this verse it’s a good idea to start with godliness so that we can understand the meaning of contentment.
Before we proceed, please note that our verse starts with the word “BUT”.
Whenever you see the word BUT it means that the phrase after it is related in some way to what was before it. Usually the phrase following “But” is qualifying the preceding statement.
For example:
Tito Norm likes Filipino food BUT he does not like fish sauce.
Or
John likes running but he is not strong enough to run the marathon
Or
Jane made an effort to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro but did not make it to the top.
So, to fully understand the significance of the statement “But godliness with contentment is great gain” we need to look at the text that comes before the word But. Let us read this text together and then break it down to understand it.
“These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
1 Timothy 6:2-5 NIV
Here Paul is teaching Timothy four things:
(It is worth recalling that Paul was introduced to Timothy in Lystra. His mother was a Jew and his father Greek. Timothy, as a young man, had a good reputation as a follower of Jesus so Paul took him along as a partner in ministry. Paul mentored him)
1. Teach only what Jesus taught
2. Don’t get caught up in controversies, quarrels and debates
3. Avoid malicious talk, evil suspicions, arguments and friction
4. Avoid those who think that this kind of false godliness is a means to financial gain.
Paul has instructed Timothy that there are false teachers who captivate people with godless philosophies, doctrines and ideologies. These people are motivated by selfish greed and a desire to gain wealth.
Alternatively, Timothy (and you and I) should pursue sincere GODLINESS not godlessness.
To secure a lifestyle of godliness it is wise to add CONTENTMENT.
“But godliness with CONTENTMENT is great gain”.
What is contentment? Here are some definitions:
“Contentment is a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction.” -Collins Dictionary
“A feeling of being happy or satisfied.” - Oxford English Dictionary
“The happiness you feel when you have everything you want and you enjoy your life” -MacMillan Dictionary
“The state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind.” - Dictionary.com
“The quality or state of being contented” - Merriam-Webster
Contented = “feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation.” M-W
“Happiness and satisfaction, often because you have everything you need.”
- Cambridge Dictionary
Examples of discontentment:
1. The story of the ungrateful husband.
2. Richard Corey (Poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson, 1897)
Example of discontent comes from a famous poem, entitled “Richard Corey”. You can find the text by searching on Google.
In this poem, both the main subject, Richard Corey, and the narrators/observers, demonstrate extreme discontentedness.
3. News accounts of mass shootings, etc. – Much of the bad news in the world today, assassinations, war, mass shootings, riots, etc. arise from discontent.
What are some examples of CONTENTMENT ?
Paul - “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
King David - “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms 23:1-6 NIV
Now let’s test our knowledge. Which of these are expressions of contentment?
“I love my job and I look forward to new challenges every day.” (Yes)
“I will not be happy until I become Chief Technology Officer of my company”. (No)
“Seeing my friends’ postings on FB about cool trips they are going on makes me feel like my life is sooooo boring” (No)
“Mochi gets very depressed when she only gets 3 likes on her Instagram posting” (No)
“I am going to leave my church because my needs are not being met.” (No)
“I woke up early this morning and couldn’t sleep because my 401K is losing so much money”. (No)
“No matter how hard I try I can’t make myself as good looking as the girls in my class.” (No)
“I am in prison because of my faith in Jesus Christ but I know He loves me and will take care of me.” (Yes)
BUT…..there is hope for us.
“BUT godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN!”
What is the GREAT GAIN?
1. Our needs will be met (1 Timothy 6:8)
2. We will avoid schemes and traps that can destroy us and our families (1 Timothy 6:9)
3. Our salvation will be secured and we will avoid present, future and eternal grief (1 Timothy 6:10)
I will close with one last example of contentment.
During my mother’s final days of life, under hospice care at home, she exemplified such peace and contentment. Even the hospice nurse mentioned it. She said that about 98% of her patients were miserable, restless, bitter, unhappy, but my mom was so peaceful. When I explained that it was because of her faith in Jesus Christ and her hope for heaven the nurse agreed and said that she was also a believer. My mom’s last days on earth were a testimonial to the power of faith, trust and contentment.
-Bro. Norm Richardson