Contentment
Contentment is an attitude and a choice. If we are in Christ Jesus we are in peace regardless of the circumstances. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is truth and a sound mind; the mind of Christ. Jesus spoke to his disciples that they were to be servants. We should see everything we do as though we are serving God and representing him. If our heart is right towards God, all else should be well with our soul. Our focus is on eternal things as we live our lives before the world.
1 Tim 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
There were slaves in that day and there are slaves today. Some were willing bondslaves, while others were just held captive. Many are forced to be where they do not want to be, whether in a bad situation, a marriage where no love is, in a job that requires all their time or even in a prison. Regardless of where we are, if in Christ, we are a child of the king. Because of this our behavior is with grace and good works. Do your best to not bring dishonor to another who is over you.
1 Tim 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
If your boss is a Christian, you are not to think less of him because he is a brother in the Lord. Do not take advantage of this, looking for his faults to make yourself look good. Instead, honor him with good work because he is faithful to the Lord. We are to do all things as unto the Lord.
Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
All that we do will come back to us, whether good or bad; of the flesh or of the Spirit. This should make us want to do good always.
2 Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
1 Tim 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1 Tim 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
We are to teach the whole word of God in truth by the Holy Spirit. When someone comes teaching a strange doctrine, he is proud, knowing nothing. He will exploit those weak in the faith, drawing them away and putting them into bondage. You know them by their fruits. Envy and jealousy, quarrels, abuse, insults and slander, these are not of God's Spirit, although they may claim to speak for God.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
They wish to win arguments, perpetual friction, this is not of God. They would seek to be rewarded with money for their wicked advice. They may be charismatic and persuasive, you must know God's word to know these are not of God. Jude speaks strong words against such as these.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
There is no joy in following a false teacher. You must keep yourself free from sin, be right with God, then you will be content. If we are at odds with another, there is no peace. It interrupts your prayers and your worship.
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
We are talking about the attitude of contentment. This is harmony with God and who we are in Christ Jesus. Paul was teaching this from prison, yet he lacked nothing to be content. Our contentment is not about owning things.
1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
That is sound advice. Many never have enough things, they always are seeking more. Many are in debt because they have desired things they could not afford. They are unable to give to another's need because they themselves are in debt.
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
1 Tim 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
They who desire, they that covet riches fall into temptations, lusts, and unexpected problems, with many foolish (useless and godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. This is not godly contentment. James says more about this.
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It does not say that money is evil, it is the lusting after it that is evil. This desire can draw you away from God and into the world with many heartaches and despair. What do you desire wealth for? To please another? To satisfy your greed? Personal security and providing for those in need; as well as supporting missionaries and the local church is a good use of money.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
In the end times people will give up their soul to satan, so that they can buy things and sell things. We seek the LORD for our supply and we use what he gives to us wisely. There is no greater treasure than a heart at peace with God.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Prosperity is of the soul resting in God's will and purpose.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Fight the good fight
1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Flee what things? Many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. They have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. What did this? The desire to be rich and the lusting after money. What then? Seek godliness with contentment in God's Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit here mentioned: follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Faith is a fight? Who do we fight? Our own lusts and desires and the attacks of the devil. The world system is also the antagonist against God and godliness.
Lay hold, take possession of eternal life; Jesus is our righteousness, in which your were called and professed faith before many witnesses. In other words do not let go of this and run after wealth in the world, others are watching you.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
1 Tim 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
1 Tim 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Tim 6:15 Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
1 Tim 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Fight the good fight and lay hold of eternal life. Hold onto Jesus and do not turn from him.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Jesus dwells in the light, he dwells in God that no man can approach unto; whom no man has seen, nor can see.
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. What if you are rich?
1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Do not trust in your riches, many do to their own destruction. Money will not buy you into heaven, nor out of hell. There is no purgatory, no second chance. Hold onto Jesus, confess him and trust in him until the end. This is your salvation.
1 Tim 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
If you are rich, do good works, share your wealth and be available to meet another's needs.
1 Tim 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
This is laying up in heaven a treasure.
Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Luke 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
Luke 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Luke 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
1 Tim 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
O Timothy, Spiritual son that Paul has poured out his soul; keep that pure teaching of God's word that was committed to your trust. Paul said this in other words:
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Avoid empty babbling, vain talk and puffed up words of man's thoughts. Also avoid false science, like? Evolution, so called science, which is man's ideas and not truth. True science observes God's order. There is no contradiction with true science, but science has limits, God is creator.
1 Tim 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
It was wrong to seek science instead of God's word, even back 2000 years ago, amazing. Gods word is truth, Spiritual truth. Science measures only the natural world. Psychology is called the science of mind, but it is more man's views than actual science. If we are to be perfect as Jesus is perfect we need the correct teaching of God's word. All else is not so important and needful. The gospel believed is the power of God for eternal life with God. Tell that to a rich atheist scientist. The world is in awe over who has the most wealth. Who is closest to Jesus? That is the most wealth of all.
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