6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into theworld, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 1 Tim 6:6-7

Some questions: Is godliness without contentment any good? Iscontentment without godliness any good? I had to laugh at myself for eventyping that. That one is too easy – of course not. In fact, that is probablyone of the biggest reasons people don’t consider salvation through JesusChrist. They are quite content in their own little kingdom thinking they haveit made. No thoughts for the future beyond their death. They are lulled tosleep by sinful pleasures and the world that is now telling them there isn’tanything beyond the grave.

But the first question is a bit harder to answer. Certainly,there are many godly people who serve the Lord, living holy lives, and beingobedient. Even though they are to all appearance to others and even tothemselves, they are godly, but are they content? Sure, some are content and eventhough they are quite godly, we know that no one is completely godly. Even so, alack of contentment exposes the sin that hinders growth in holiness andtherefore a deficiency in godliness.  

Contentment in this context of 1 Timothy 6 is primarily withmoney and what happens when we are not content with what we have. But itdoesn’t stop with money or other possessions. The big question that will leadto contentment and godliness is, are we content with our godliness. This toocan go in different paths. I can be content with my godliness and thereforethink I’ve arrived (bad path). Or I can be discontent with my godliness and realizehow far I still need to go (good path). Or I can be content with knowing thatGod is in control and is working in me and bringing me forward in sanctification(better path). That is when godliness with contentment is great gain.

Lord, help me be content in you and keep on growing ingodliness, not arriving but looking forward to the day when it will becomplete.

Copyright by Ray Ruppert