When I arose this morning, the following verse came clearly to my mind –
“GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN.” (1 Timothy 6:6) I had to
ask myself if I am truly godly and genuinely content.
What is Godliness? Godliness is the genuine fear and love of God, and
obedience to do His will. It is the respectful awareness of God´s sovereignty
over every aspect of our lives, and results in a determination to honour Him in
how we live and obey Him. Godliness depends on knowing God´s revealed truth.
(I combined and summarized various Bible commentaries.)
Contentment is a state of happiness, satisfaction, peace and being content in
whichever condition we find ourselves in.
In 1 Timothy 6, Paul was teaching Timothy how to pursue holiness in conduct,
attitude, and thought, and how he should choose to be content in whatever
circumstances God had given them, just as Paul himself had done while in
prison (Philippians 4:11–12). He told Timothy to “flee from all this (eagerness
to get rich), and to strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance
and gentleness.” (1 Tim. 6:11). It is impossible to be content when our hearts
are set on gaining more, when we are not satisfied with our current way of life.
The Bible never says that it is a sin to be rich. There are examples in Scripture
of God blessing His servants with tremendous material wealth, but 1 Tim. 6:17
instructs the wealthy this way – “Command those who are rich in this present
world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to PUT THEIR HOPE IN GOD, who richly provides us with everything for
our enjoyment.”
Yes, God desires that we enjoy life – the life He gives to us freely. We need to
ENJOY HIM! Enjoying God is to know Abba Father intellectually and spiritually,
to admire God in His beauty, to delight in Him emotionally, and to dedicate
ourselves totally to Him, to dwell and delight in His presence, and to praise Him
for the awesome and loving God that He is!
We are living in the End times. 2 Peter 3:10 – 11 say, “But the day of the Lord
will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will
be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to
be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness.”
Precious loving Saviour, please forgive me where I have not been satisfied or
happily accepting with my life. Forgive me when I have perhaps wished for
more things or for different situations. Help me to enjoy YOU more, to be
content with my circumstances and to strive to be cheerful, peaceful and well-
pleased in my present conditions. You, Lord Jesus, had NOWHERE to lay your
head at night, yet You trod many difficult roads to teach me how to live
according to Abba Father’s will. Thank You for Isaiah 58:11 which states – “The
LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a
spring whose waters never fail.” I adore and thank You that You live richly IN
me, through the presence of the sweet Holy Spirit so that I am never ever
alone. In Your blessed Name I am so grateful and happy! Amen
Myrtle Turunen