Great Gain in the Christian Life

1 Timothy 6:5-6 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.

It is here that in verse five, Paul introduces the topic of the opponents' greed. Then in vv.6-10, Paul enlarges his discussion which is the second paragraph in this section. Godliness is of great value if it is accompanied by contentment. This means realizing that people will die as they were born: without any material goods. So then the question is begged: "Is it not then irrational for them to pursue wealth?" The answer is that the godliness that the opponents pursued was not one of contentment. Rather, they wanted to be rich, and because of their desire they fell into snares that issued in their destruction.

Commentator, William Mounce notes that, "This is one of the most powerful condemnations in Scripture of the destructive lure of possessions" (341). Also Gordon Fee notes, "Why would anyone want to get rich" (145)?

In this context, the idea of contentment is rooted in a faith that denies his own ability to perform his tasks and asserts the need for total reliance on the all-powerful God. Furthermore, the contentment that is of great profit is one that seeks it security not in worldly riches but in God (Mounce, Pastoral Epistles, 341).

Do we recognize that our Godliness with contentment is a means of great gain. In fact, it is the best gain that could ever be gained. Far better than all material goods, all wealth, accolades or praise. May we be those that are consumed with a passion to be satisfied in our all-sufficient God and find our contentment in Him.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Mounce, Pastoral Epistles, 341.