GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GAIN

Passage: 1 Timothy 6:3-10

Key verse: 6

NIV

3 If anyone teaches otherwise(A) and does not agree to the sound instruction(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited(C) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words(D) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth(E) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment(F) is great gain.(G) 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.(H) 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.(I) 9 Those who want to get rich(J) fall into temptation and a trap(K) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money(L) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith(M) and pierced themselves with many griefs.(N)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

3 If anyone (A)teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with (B)the sound[a] words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching (C)that accords with godliness, 4 (D)he is puffed up with conceit and (E)understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for (F)controversy and for (G)quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people (H)who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, (I)imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But (J)godliness (K)with contentment is great gain, 7 for (L)we brought nothing into the world, and[b] we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But (M)if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But (N)those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, (O)into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that (P)plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of (Q)all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 6:3 Or healthy
  2. 1 Timothy 6:7 Greek for; some manuscripts insert [it is] certain [that]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Why disagree with sound instruction? (3-5) The reason people were teaching false things instead of listening to sound instruction was they are conceited and are interested in causing strife. Their interest in quarrels brought them into friction with others of corrupt mind. They liked such things because their real goal was not godliness, but financial gain. 2. Is godliness a means to financial gain? (6-1 ) No, because it is not a means to an end but is the goal itself: To grow more like our Father God -- to be content with that is great gain. Being content comes from knowing what we have: Finding contentment in Jesus Christ, a secret Paul learned in every situation (Php 4:11-13). This is something we too are called to learn in our lives. True contentment cannot be found in riches and material things, because they are all perishable and uncertain. Chasing them leads to Satan's trap. So those who desire to get rich are drawn away from faith, and instead of contentment find a life filled with grief.

Prayer: Father, thank you for providing true contentment. Let me seek godliness, not money.

One Word: Grow in godliness and be thankful