GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

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)

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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.

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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. Godly teaching (3-5)

Clinging to the word of God and the sound instruction of Jesus-godly teaching-is the only way to serve God. Those who wander from the truth or attempt to add to it become nothing. Teaching something other than the word of Jesus only creates division and corrupts people's thinking. Godliness is not a means to financial gain; it is a means to eternal life in the kingdom of God.

2. We will be content (6-1

)

The greatest gain is godliness with contentment. If we have food, clothes, and shelter, we should be content. We brought nothing into the world; we can take nothing out. People who measure everything in terms of money cannot be happy. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil and causes people grief; the love of God produces joy and contentment in our hearts.

Prayer: Lord, protect my heart from running after worthless things. Teach me godliness with contentment.

One Word: Love God, not money