The Centrality of Contentment

June 30, 2020

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT

1 Timothy is a letter from the apostle Paul to his young protégé, Timothy, to encourage him in his new role as a church leader. Chapter 6 begins with a discussion of contentment and its relation to true godliness. Paul knew living with contentment was a problem for human beings and therefore would be a problem for the people Timothy led.

Paul had learned that wealth and position do not satisfy and that, while it is certainly not a sin to be rich, becoming rich should never be our pursuit. When we do become wealthy, our resources should be a means of building His kingdom and blessing people in need. Paul emphasized that the real blessing of life is to be godly and content with your life. He reminded Timothy of the truth that we didn’t bring anything with us when we arrived in this world, and we won’t get to take anything with us when we leave. As they say, you never see a U-Haul following a hearse. Everything we accumulate in wealth will be divided by others and used as they wish. All our positions and titles will immediately be filled by someone else. To realize that and be content with what God sees fit to give us, even the simplest things like food and clothing, is great wisdom.

In verse 17, Paul continues with a perspective on true contentment for all of us: “Tell them not to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” The difference is in the heart. Both greedy pursuits and contentment are states of the heart. When we choose to be content with the riches of God rather than pursue material things and titles, our lives will be more in line with God’s desire for us, because “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

  • On a scale of 1-10, 1 being restless and completely lacking in contentment and 10 being perfectly content, evaluate your current state.
  • Is God impressing your heart about anything in particular? What do you need to do?
  • Check your “I wish” language. Are you unintentionally communicating discontent?
  • Pray for wisdom in your daily pursuits.