GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT
IS GREAT GAIN
Paul wrote, "But godliness with contentment is great
gain. For 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."
(1Timothy 6:6-8) "Godliness" is the complete result of the practice
of New Testament Christianity. “Godliness” is having great reverence for God or
being pious. "Contentment" is being satisfied or showing satisfaction
with things as they are, enjoying well being and content.
Around us
there is evidence of progress in medicine, science, technology and travel.
Areas where there is an obvious lack of progress are in the matters of
"godliness" and contentment." We should all strive to develop a
likeness to God that radiates with contentment.
"We
brought nothing into this world." This is true in a physical
sense. A human baby is very helpless and dependent. We did not even bring
enough strength into the world to care for ourselves. We did not bring our
home, our job or our bodies into this world. Job said, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return
thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of
the LORD." (Job
Everything
that we have is a stewardship or a loan from God. The rich and poor are alike
both in birth and in death. We brought nothing into the world and we will take
nothing out! On the other hand we do take our character from this life. We also
take our memories and friendships from this life.
"It is
certain we can carry nothing out." This thought reminds us that
we will have to go out of this world. We are here only temporary. "But ye
shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes." (Psalm 82:7) We are
spirits that dwell in a temporary body on earth. The main reason that we will
carry nothing out of this world is that we do not need our earthly substances
in the world to come.
In
Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 Solomon pondered the fact that we can take nothing out of
this world. He said, "As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall
he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour,
which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all
points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?"
"Having food and raiment."
"Food" includes all the nourishment that is necessary to sustain our
physical body. "Raiment" is the necessary covering for our body. This
provides the necessary things to maintain our physical tent.
If you have
food and raiment your body is cared for internally and externally. The
expression "food and raiment" covers all our temporal needs. Jacob
"vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way
that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come
again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God."
(Genesis 28:20-21)
"Let us be therewith content."
We should be content because you can only eat so much food and wear so many
cloths. When we recognize that we have a proper sufficiency; we should be
content with it. We should learn to be content because it is only between life
and death that we can hold our wealth.
Even though
we might not have as much as some let us be thankful for the good things that
God has done for us! Contentment and thanksgiving go hand in hand.
Godliness is a gain within itself, but when godliness is aligned with
contentment it is "great gain." The certainty of death should lead us
to “fear God and keep His commandments.” To prepare for eternity you must hear
the gospel (Romans
By Charles Box,