Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain

1 Timothy 6:1–21 Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 10-16-11
Key Verse: 6:6
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
In this last chapter, Paul continues Timothy’s spiritual education on the subject of respect. He addresses the issue regarding the relationship between slaves and masters. He teaches that they too must respect each other and treat each other in a manner that brings glory to Jesus. He also teaches that a good minister of Christ Jesus must be careful that the love of money does not take root in his/her heart, but that they must fight the good fight of faith always and seek godliness with contentment. There are many great teachings here, but first let us think about the relationship between slaves and masters.
Part l: Master And Slaves In Christ (1-10)
In Paul’s time, in proportion to every free citizen of Rome, there were three who were in slavery. In the Roman world, slaves had no rights, nor privileges. They were fortunate if they only ate, and slept under the master’s roof while serving the master’s needs, fulfilling his goals and gratifying his desires. Even the slave’s family belonged to the master, who also managed the slave’s family. Their very lives belonged to the master. Slaves had no voice in the society and no one to shelter them from the cruelty of masters who used them and abused them to his own benefit. By force of habit, slaves showed proper respect for their masters, while their hearts burned with bitter hatred.

But the force by which Christianity swept the world caused some radical changes to the slave-master system. Suddenly, slaves and masters were turning to Christ, and becoming Christian. Suddenly, in one household, both slaves and masters were of the same body of Christ, brothers and sisters in every way, endowed with every privilege of a child of God. How should this alter their relationship? Let’s see…

First, Paul addresses the attitude of the Christian slave. Let’s read verses 1-2. “All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.” Paul commands Christian slaves to consider their worldly masters worthy of full respect and to serve their Christian masters even better. There are no exceptions, and no conditions set for respect or service. Slaves who have come to embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior must show their worldly masters full respect. Here, the words “full respect” as opposed to “partial respect” is relevant. Partial respect is a conditional and compromising kind of respect, offered as a courtesy. But full respect is unconditional, offered up from the heart. Worldly masters may not be kind or forgiving…not worthy even of the slightest respect. Still, Christian slaves were expected to respect them fully. That is a tall order. Do you think that you can do that?

On the other hand, Christian masters should know how to treat their Christian slaves. There are no specific commands to the masters in this passage but there are some words that allude to their responsibilities. Let’s jump ahead to verses 17-19 to find out, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor 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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Masters are usually rich. Therefore they should treat their slaves with respect and consider them equal with themselves. They should “do good” to them and be generous and share with them. They should provide healthcare, education, a decent place to live and some wages and the ability to save their money. They should offer them some hope. They should include them in their worship services and worship the Lord together. Wow! Wouldn’t that be revolutionary?!
But even if their masters did not show them proper respect, Christian slaves were commanded to serve their masters even better than what was already expected of them. It was almost an unreasonable command given to the Christian slaves. But it was the way of Christ. Christ, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and who is Master of all humanity, did not come to be served, but to serve (Mk. 10:45). And his beneficiaries, those who have been redeemed by his blood, should do the same.
Paul explained about the attitude of the Christian slaves in order to educate all the “Christian slaves” down through the generations of their important role in representing Christ to the world. What are some Christian “slave situations” of today? It is everyone who is in a subordinate position and accountable to the authority above him or her. We are all in master/slave relations in one way or another. What about teacher/student? Supervisor/worker? Owner/worker? Creditor/debtor? Landlord/renter? Sadly, sometimes parent/child relations can get this way. These are modern day master/slave relationships. They don’t have to be like this but sometimes they are. It all depends on our own attitudes. We can make them master/slave or we can make them co-worker/team player, friend relationships. But ancient slaves did not have that option. They must fulfill their duties and their responsibilities or there would be consequences.

In verses 1-2, Paul makes it clear why Christian slaves must respect their masters. Christians should not be self centered, thinking about their own welfare, and constantly fighting for their rights. If that was the case, the slaves Paul is referring to, would constantly be in trouble with their masters, for they couldn’t leave. Christians should be God centered, always considering what is good for God’s name and God’s honor. Christians should also consider their influence on society. A professing Christian is an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and all his or her actions reflect on Christ and on the church. In short, they should advertize Jesus. When non-believing masters see the unchristian behavior of a Christian worker, it is an opportunity for them to slander God’s name and to ridicule Christian teachings. “What? And you call yourself a Christian! I don’t want anything to do with your Savior. Get back to work!” Christians should behave like Christ in all situations, as much as they are able to. Then they will be a blessing on others and lead them to Jesus rather than drive them away. Respect is not an option, it is a mandate by which we must live. It is a matter of heart and a matter of love. After all doesn’t Jesus respect us unconditionally?
Paul tells Timothy the truth about those who do not agree with the sound Christian teaching. He gets right down to the core issue. Read verses 3-5. “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” What is the sound Christian teaching? It is the teaching of Christ who taught us that it is blessed to love those who hate us, and to bless those who curse us. He taught us to be forgiving and to sacrifice in the cause of righteousness and for the sake of the kingdom. Paul also taught that Christian slaves should respect their worldly masters and serve their Christians masters even better. The gospel teaching does not seem to be sound by the standards of the world which teaches selfishness and vengeance. But Jesus’ teaching is most sound.

Paul taught Timothy the truth about those who do not agree with the sound teaching. He exposed their hearts and their motives. Those who do not agree with the gospel teaching are conceited and lack understanding. They have an unhealthy interest in causing trouble among the fellowship of believers. They set Christian against Christian by their gossip. They plant doubt rather than faith. They like to argue and to find fault. They target those whose bitterness and constant complaining have caused them to become spiritually corrupt. And Paul teaches us that they do all this for love of self, and for self gain. They may gain some recognition from those of like mind, but in the long run they lose.

What should be the attitude of sincere Christians? Let’s read verses 6-10. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Those who have an unhealthy interest in constantly challenging the gospel’s teaching, and in causing trouble among the fellowship of believers, do so for personal gain. It does not always have to be money, but we cannot deny that their motives are crooked. Maybe they like the attention. They enjoy gaining sympathy or recognition. In the end they gain nothing but grief.

On the other hand, what should the children of God seek to gain? Look at verses 6-8 again. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Paul teaches us that we must seek to gain godliness and learn to be content. It is a godly virtue to be content—to be content in what God has given us—to be content in what God has apportioned us to have in this life. And God who loves his children knows exactly what each of his children need. To one he gives riches and to another he gives poverty. To one he gives compassion and to another he gives wisdom. Whatever God gives comes from God’s loving heart for his children. But not all who receive from God are content. Some become greedy and pursue the unhealthy path of moneymaking. Then they end up sorrowful and all alone.

But the child of God should be content. If he has been given riches, he must be content and share his riches. If he has been given poverty, he must be content and share the blessings which arise from poverty. It is God’s will that his children pursue godliness and contentment in Christ, which is the greatest of gains in one’s life.

The Bible says that we must strive to gain godliness. We must strive to be content in what God has given us. Peter once said: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18,19) What this world has to offer us and what our ancestors have to inherit us is all empty. We have been handed an empty way of life, a way of life which pursues all the things that eventually perish and are destined to pierce us with grief. But in our Lord Jesus we have inherited God and salvation. We have inherited life and faith and mission and all the goodness which God has given us. If we are not content with them, if we continue to pursue the empty things of this world, we reveal that we have no godly wisdom. Paul assures the Christian that godliness is gain and contentment is a virtue we must take hold of.

Part ll: Fight The Good Fight Of Faith (11-21)

Paul gave Timothy the best advice a father can advise his son. He advised him to run away from all that is worldly by nature. Read verses 11-16. “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 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. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” He exhorted him to flee from the things that attract worldly people, such as all that glitters in the world and the lusts of the flesh. He should rather pursue righteousness and godliness and faith and love. In pursuing such noble things, he must also be willing to endure, be patient and fight the good fight of faith.

All people must fight because life is a battle. But it is foolish to fight for unworthy causes. Worldly wealth is an unworthy cause. The lust of the flesh is an unworthy cause. The only worthy cause is to fight to take hold of noble faith. We must fight with faith and for faith. We must fight to maintain faith. That is the only worthy fight a Christian can engage in. All other fights are futile and unproductive.

Paul also charged Timothy in the sight of God to imitate Christ who made the good confession of faith. Look at verse 13a, “In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,…” What did Jesus do so that we may imitate him? Jesus had to fight for his life. But he did not. He fought for the truth. He confessed before Pilate that he is the King of Heaven. He confessed that his kingdom is not of this world. He also had a confession in his heart that God loves him and is leading him in the way of righteousness, even though God was leading him to the cross. Thus our Lord Jesus fought in faith and with faith and by faith, until he was taken up to heaven from where he will return.

The practical “Take home” point here is that we need to remember that while we are living the Christian life, gaining godliness and being content, we have a promise to hold on to. Our promise is that whatever we sacrifice here for the sake of gaining godliness is not lost. Look at verses 13b- 16. “…I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” Whatever we sacrifice is kept in heaven for us for when our Lord Jesus returns because he will surely return and reward each one according to his or her life. If we live by faith and pursue godliness God will sweep us up to his kingdom.

In his final statement Paul shows sincere concern for those who have been entrusted with material goods. Read verses 17-19. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor 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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Timothy should educate those who are rich in this world to be generous with their financial possessions. They should use it properly. God gives wealth to some as a trust, so that they may wisely use it for the benefit of the less fortunate. So they must share with their brothers and sisters who are in need. Why should they do so? Because it is better to lay up riches in heaven than to lay up riches on earth where it will perish. Paul also teaches rich people not to be arrogant. Rich people can become arrogant when they trust their riches more than trusting God. They are arrogant when they think that they were the ones who made themselves rich. They are arrogant when they despise and ignore the poor. Rather than giving in to arrogance, they must fight the good fight to depend on God rather than on their wealth. They must hope in God. They must express their heavenly hopes through practical acts of generosity and with good deeds.

Finally Paul urges Timothy to guard what has been entrusted him as a good minister of Christ Jesus. Look at verses 20-21. “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.” Timothy had been entrusted with the words of life; with the message of the gospel; with the preaching and teaching of this word; and especially to the flock of God under his care. Timothy was also entrusted with God’s flock in Ephesus. For them, Timothy must continue to fight the good fight of faith, until the coming of our Lord Jesus.

We too have been entrusted with the word of life, with eternal life and with the flock of God. For that, we must learn what a worthy fight is and engage in it. It is the fight to maintain and to bring the faith to all nations, starting with those around us. (Think globally and act locally.) More over, we have been entrusted to pursue godliness and to be content in all that God has given us so that our influence may be godly and fruitful. How can we be content and be godly? We can be content when we deeply appreciate the gift of life Jesus has given us. We can have godliness when we pursue the higher and nobler things of this life, such as love, faith, hope, and the life in Christ we have been entrusted with by God our Father. May you determine to fight the good fight of faith and love God, finding contentment in him alone. God bless you.

1. Read verses 1-2. How must Christian slaves of the time regard their masters? Define “full respect”. What may hinder them from fully respecting their masters? Why must they respect them fully? To what extent? How must Timothy regard this command of Paul? What may be the equivalent of a Christian slave in our times?

2. Read verses 3-5. What sound instructions do false teachers not agree with? Why do they not
agree with such godly teaching? What unhealthy interests do they have? Who among the fellowship of believers do they generally target? What hidden motive do they have in challenging the sound teachings of our Lord?

3. Read verses 6-10. What is the attitude of those who are not of a “corrupt mind”? What do
they pursue instead of financial gain? Why does Paul consider “godliness” to be great gain? What is Paul’s view of “contentment”? What wisdom is there in this? What is the curse of those who love and pursue money?

4. Read verses 11-16. What does Paul command Timothy to do? What must he pursue instead?
With what attitude? What is the role of “faith” here? Why does Paul use the word “fight”? How should Timothy equip himself for this life-long battle? What assurance does Paul give Timothy while at the same time charging him with absolute obedience? Why did Paul envelope this hope in magnificent exaltation to God?

5. Read verses 17-21. What command did Paul pass on to rich Christians? What is the tendency
of those who have been entrusted with worldly riches? How should they fight this ungodly tendency? With what hope? What is “the life that is truly life”? Why is it a treasure more valuable than all other treasures? What has Timothy been entrusted with? How can he guard it? How can we?