GODLINESS
WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN
BREAD
6 But
godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take
nothing out of it. 8 But if
we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
7 Have
nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself
to be godly. 8 For
physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
1 I
urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for everyone-- 2 for
kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in
all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
11 But
you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the
eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the
presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)
3 His
divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our
knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
10 But
the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a
roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in
it will be laid bare. 11 Since
everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its
coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and
the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward
to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13 (NIV)
10 I
rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.
Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I
am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living
in plenty or in want. 13 I can
do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
23 The
fear of the Lord leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
“Let
the beloved of the Lord rest
secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Lose
all rather than lose your integrity, and when all else is gone, still hold fast
a clear conscience as the rarest jewel which can adorn the bosom of a
mortal. When you see no present
advantage, walk by faith and not by sight.
Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the
sake of principle. See whether He will
be your debtor! See if He doesn’t even
in this life prove His word that ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain,’
and that they who ‘seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well.’ To
wear a guileless spirit, to have a heart void of offense, to have the favor and
smile of God, is greater riches than the mines of Ophir could yield.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“Our satisfaction and contentment in life does not come from
riches but from righteousness.” Robert
J. Morgan
“Contentment is not
having what I want, but wanting what I have.” Emalyn Spencer
“Contentment is the way you drink all the grace out of every moment.” Ann Voskamp
“What were we made
for? To know God. What aim should we set
ourselves in life? To know God. What is
the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. What is the best thing in life, bringing more
joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God. What, of all the states God ever sees man in,
gives Him most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.” J.I.
Packer
“You will see at once from reading the text (Philippians 4:11), upon the very surface, that contentment in all states is not a natural propensity of man. Ill weeds grow apace; covetousness, discontent, and murmuring, are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. You have no need to sow thistles and brambles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth, upon which rests the curse; so you have no need to teach men to complain, they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener’s care. Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“Contentment isn’t a state of organization, a weight on the scale, a state of better: better kids, better marriage, better health, better house. Contentment is never a matter of circumstances; contentment is always a state of communion — a daily embracing of God. A thankfulness for all the gifts – and moments and life, just as He gives it. Trying harder may only bring harder trials and contentment, it won’t be found in the resolutions, but in the revolutions – in the turning round to God.” Ann Voskamp
“Contentment is a learned secret that sadly many fail in their endeavors to obtain. It is never found in more, better, bigger, new, marriages, children or whatever that whatever may be. Oh, it may appear briefly with these faux gods we seek to enthrone but vanishes quickly after obtaining. A contentment and peace which prevails is found only in Christ. He wants to fill our wants – just ask Him. He wants to be the desire of our hearts – seek Him. Because He knows it will make us whole so that we are no longer needy or just plain annoying to be around. God fills completely when we allow Him. He wants to fill us in order to spill us (which, btw, brings much joy to the soul) so that we leave the aroma of Christ in our spheres rather than the smell of death. This is the abundance He came to give us – life to the fullest measure. This is contentment.” BHY
“Are you
in prison? You are if you feel better when you have more and worse when you
have less. You are if joy is one delivery away, one transfer away, one award
away, or one makeover away. If your happiness comes from something you deposit,
drive, drink, or digest, then face it -- you are in prison, the prison of
want. Paul says that ‘godliness with
contentment is great gain’ (1 Tim. 6:6 NIV). When we surrender to God the
cumbersome sack of discontent, we don't just give up something; we gain
something. God replaces it with a lightweight, tailor-made, sorrow-resistant
attaché́ of gratitude. What will you
gain with contentment? You may gain your marriage. You may gain precious hours
with your children. You may gain your self-respect. You may gain joy. You may
gain the faith to say, ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’ Try saying it slowly. ‘The LORD is my
shepherd; I shall not want.’ Again, ‘The
LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’
Again, ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’” Max Lucado
“The Hebrew word shalom is often
translated ‘peace,’ but its full meaning has a deeper richness to it. Shalom is
a sense of completeness and soundness and living well. It implies safety, good
health, prosperity, tranquility, and contentment. Shalom means favor,
fulfillment, restoration, harmony, and reconciliation. God is Jehovah Shalom,
the God of peace. Shalom meets the human heart's deepest longings and is the
greatest measure of contentment. True shalom cannot exist in a heart that is
void of Jesus Christ. Shalom cannot exist in a heart that is divided between a
love of God and a love of the world. There is no room for peace in a heart that
is harboring anxiety, distrust, greed, anger, or bitterness. The Messiah is
referred to as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. Although the text translates
to ‘prince,’ the original meaning of the word embodies the power of the king.
The prince here has the full authority, delegation, and dignity of the king.
Only when the Prince of Peace rules in our hearts and minds can we have peace.
Until we submit to His authority and power, our peace will be incomplete.” Michael
Youssef
HEART SAVOR
·
Godliness
seeks to walk as Jesus walks through His power and carries with it no regrets.
·
Contentment
is a learned secret.
·
God
desires for us to be satisfied in Him.
He is the great Provider of all our needs and He is ever superfluous in abundance. It is His way to overflow the cup.
