1 Timothy 6:6
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
It’s important to recognize a distinction between being dissatisfied and being unsatisfied. To be unsatisfied is to long for more, the eternal longing that is in every human heart. In that sense a godly person is never satisfied with the status quo. As long as we fall short of all the fullness of God, we will strive for the goal. But to be dissatisfied is to demonstrate unbelief and ingratitude, one of the most destructive of all sins. This is the condition that brought down God’s wrath on the Israelites after they left Egypt. Instead of being grateful for God’s deliverance, they grumbled and rebelled, always dissatisfied with their condition (see Exodus 15:24; 16:2; 17:3). Paul taught that dissatisfaction is the natural state of those who reject God and refuse to believe: “Though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened” (Romans 1:21).
Covetousness grows from a heart that is dissatisfied with God’s provision. It is a state that God will not honor, and it is a cancer that destroys the one who covets. Unchecked, it destroys other people as well. The biblical answer to covetousness is contentment. Contentment is a beautiful and healthful condition the Bible commends.
A pursuit of God brings contentment. Jesus said to seek the Kingdom above anything else, and God will supply our needs. In Philippians 4:13 Paul gave credit to Jesus for his contentment. In his words to Timothy, he related contentment to godliness and warned that money draws people away from the faith. Paul reminds Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. “ (1 Timothy 6:6) Standing opposite covetousness are two Spirit-given qualities, one passive, one active: contentment and generosity.
What are the benefits of a contented spirit? First, those possessing the virtue of contentment will likely be generous with their resources. They are not ruled by money and can give generously. Second, in commanding us not to worry but to trust him, God promises the faithful manager and generous giver to supply their needs according to God’s glorious riches. Ultimately God will guarantee that investments made for his kingdom are never wasted but are eternal. Third, while Christian should never be dissatisfied, they can justifiably be unsatisfied in certain respects. A godly person can be unsatisfied with the spiritual or moral status quo- as Paul said, “pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God I Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:21). Even in material things, Christians may be content but legitimately work hard to improve their condition.
Notice how these wonderful graces reinforce others. For example, humility leads to faith, faith to contentment and courage, which in turn reinforces self-control, and all are motivated by love. Begin with any of them, and like a giant spiral heavenward, each is a step to the other. These graces do something else. Each reproduces a harvest of its own kind. That is, the decision to control self leads immediately to greater strength in self-control. Contentment breeds more contentment; each servant act begets greater humility and a disposition more prone to behave as a servant. Courage produces courage, faith more faith, love more love. We call these the roots that bear the fruit of right thinking, right words, right actions. And they are. But they have wonderful by-products as well. They bear the glorious fruits of joy and peace.
Lay your sources of covetousness before the Lord in prayer. Confess that He is your greatest treasure and the source of everything you need. Thank Him for His faithful provision and ask Him to fill you with Himself when you are tempted to feel dissatisfied. Enjoy fruit today!