Godliness with contentment is great gain. This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on him. Matthew 6:33 says, 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you'. Paul says we should be content with what God is doing in our lives. "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)

 

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, most people still believe that money brings happiness. Rich people craving greater riches can be caught in an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction. How can you keep away from the love of money? Paul gives us some guidelines.

1. Realize that one day riches will all be gone: "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out ... command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:7, 17)
2. Be content with what you have: And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6:8)
3. Monitor what you are willing to do to get more money: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
4. Love God's work and people more than money: "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11)
5. Freely share what you have with others: "Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:18)

Proverbs 30:7-9 is the key to personal fulfillment. "Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God."

 

But when is enough enough? How can we truly be content? There is a difference between what we need and what we want. We may have all we need to live (that is, we have enough), but we let ourselves become anxious and discontent over what we merely want. Like Paul, we can choose to be content without having all that we want. The only alternative is to be "trapped by many foolish and harmful desires" that ultimately lead only to "ruin and destruction."

 

Paul uses active and forceful verbs to describe the Christian life: run, pursue, fight, and hold tightly. Some think Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. On the contrary, we must have an active faith, training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what we know is right. Is it time for action on your part? Christian service, like athletics, requires training and sacrifice. Our discipline and obedience largely define whether or not we will be contributors or merely hearers. How would other believers rank your contributing role on Christ's team?