Scripture
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)
Observation
Pardon the pop culture reference, but I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when driving home one day when Jillian and Eden started giggling in the back seat while quoting the lyrics from a viral video, “my money don’t jiggle jiggle it folds.” After we all shared a laugh, of course I asked them where they heard it from, and of course they answered, “we heard about it at school.”
Seems the pursuit of riches and fame has been the goal of humanity for a very long time. From the O’Jays “For the Love of Money” to ABBA’s “Money, Money, Money,” to Wu Tang’s “C.R.E.A.M.”, riches and fame have been sought after and celebrated. Even yesterday’s NBA draft couldn’t shy away from the fact that not only are these young athletes being celebrated for their skill and hardwork, but the fact that with a call of their name they became instant millionaires.
Fast forward to today and hearing the Apostle’s instructions and encouragement to Timothy on honor and money, I’m reminded that the root of all evil is the love of money, and at the base of this root is the want for more, the lack of contentment.
Application
For me, Paul breaks it down in this one sentence, “but godliness with contentment is great gain.” The want for more is not necessarily a bad thing, but what the more of we want is where we can go sideways. We want more money, so we neglect what’s important. We want more fame, so we neglect Who’s important.
Paul is challenging me today to want more contentment. As contentment increases, godliness increases. The catalyst for contentment is simple, gratefulness. One of my favorite things Pastor Wayne has said aligns perfectly with Paul’s instructions; he says to “build your bank account with gratefulness to bankrupt your complaining.”
Today and always I choose to do just that; to be grateful. To pursue godliness as my great gain.
To build my bank account not with money that folds, but with gratefulness that fulfills.
To pursue the riches of heaven that aren’t just enticing and exciting, but are eternal.
To mean it when I sing that “I will be content in every circumstance...Jireh, You are enough.”
Prayer
Jesus, thank you. I could go on for days with what I’m thankful for so I pray that my heart, mind and soul meditate on those things for all my days. May my pursuits be guided by Your Holy Spirit and driven by a desire to bring fame and glory to You and You alone. Amen
