Godliness with Contentment: True Gain in Christ

Today’s passage from 1 Timothy 6 calls us to examine the foundation and focus of our lives, especially as it relates to truth, contentment, and the subtle dangers of self-centered faith. Paul’s letter to Timothy is a charge to guard the church against false teaching, not just for the sake of doctrinal purity, but so that our lives and our community would truly magnify Christ—not just on Sundays, but in every aspect of our lives. The church is called to be a pillar and buttress of the truth, not a place that simply affirms our preferences or makes us feel good, but a people who are shaped by God’s Word, even when it challenges us.

We’re reminded that our lives are meant to be about God, not ourselves. This means honoring those in authority over us—not because they deserve it, but so that the name of God and His teaching would not be reviled. Our work, our relationships, even our worship, are all opportunities to reflect God’s character and priorities. The way we treat others, forgive, and serve is a form of worship that can either honor or dishonor God.

Paul warns Timothy—and us—about the danger of reshaping God’s truth to fit our desires. When we treat godliness as a means of personal gain, we fall into a trap. This is the root of so much spiritual and practical destruction. The love of money, or the desire for more, is not just a financial issue; it’s a spiritual one that can lead us away from faith, contentment, and even from God Himself. True gain is not found in accumulating more, but in godliness with contentment. We brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we have enough.

The call is to be honest about where we’ve let the love of money, or the desire for gain, shape our lives. God has already given us everything we need for a life of godliness. Our value, security, and joy are not found in what we possess, but in Christ, who promises never to leave or forsake us. Communion is a reminder that our hope and sufficiency are in Jesus, not in our own worthiness or achievements. We remember Him, not ourselves, as the source of all we need.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Godliness is not a means of gain When we treat faith as a tool for personal advancement, we distort its purpose and miss the heart of the gospel. Godliness is not a strategy for getting what we want, but a response to what God has already given. True spiritual maturity is found in seeking God for His sake, not for the benefits we hope to receive. [53:06]
• 2. Contentment is found in Christ, not possessions The world constantly tells us we need more to be satisfied, but Scripture calls us to find contentment in God’s provision. Our security, status, and joy are not anchored in what we own, but in the unchanging promise that God will never leave or forsake us. Contentment is a spiritual discipline that frees us from the endless pursuit of more. [54:41]
• 3. The love of money leads to spiritual ruin Desiring wealth above all else is a snare that can plunge us into harmful desires and even draw us away from faith. The love of money is not just about greed; it’s about misplaced trust and affection. We must honestly examine what we’re willing to sacrifice or compromise for the sake of gain, and let God’s truth reshape our priorities. [57:35]
• 4. Our lives are meant to honor God, not ourselves Every aspect of our lives—work, relationships, worship—can either magnify God or ourselves. Honoring those in authority, forgiving others, and serving sacrificially are acts of worship that reflect God’s character. When we make life about God rather than ourselves, we become living testimonies to His truth and grace. [38:25]
• 5. Communion is about remembering Christ, not our worthiness Taking communion is not a ritual to earn favor or focus on our failures, but a moment to remember what Christ has accomplished. Our sufficiency and hope are in Him alone. We come to the table not because we are worthy, but because He is, and He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. [68:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [28:28] - Opening Prayer
• [28:58] - Introduction to 1 Timothy
• [30:07] - Paul’s Charge to Timothy
• [31:13] - The Church as Pillar of Truth
• [32:20] - Living for God, Not Ourselves
• [33:49] - The Danger of Drifting
• [35:16] - Honoring Authority in Daily Life
• [38:25] - Worship Beyond Sunday
• [43:16] - Warning Against False Doctrine
• [49:47] - Godliness as a Means of Gain
• [54:10] - True Gain: Godliness with Contentment
• [56:14] - The Snare of Desiring Riches
• [57:35] - The Love of Money’s Destruction
• [61:44] - Contentment in God’s Presence
• [66:17] - Prayer and Communion Preparation
• [68:16] - Remembering Christ in Communion

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:1-10 (ESV) — Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 1 Timothy 6:1-2, what is the reason given for honoring those in authority over us, even if they don’t deserve it?
2. What does Paul say happens when people treat godliness as a means of personal gain? ([49:47])
3. In verses 6-8, what does Paul say is “great gain” and what does he say we should be content with?
4. What warning does Paul give about the desire to be rich and the love of money? ([57:35])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul is so concerned that the church be a “pillar and buttress of the truth” and not just a place that makes people feel good? ([31:13])
2. How does treating godliness as a way to get what we want distort the purpose of faith? ([53:06])
3. In what ways can the love of money or the desire for more lead someone away from faith, according to Paul? ([57:35])
4. Why is contentment in Christ so countercultural, and what does it look like practically to be content with “food and clothing”? ([54:41])

Application Questions

1. Think about your workplace, school, or home. Are there ways you can honor those in authority, not because they deserve it, but so that God’s name and teaching are not reviled? What would that look like this week? ([37:21])
2. Have you ever found yourself bargaining with God or treating your faith as a way to get something you want? What would it look like to seek God for His sake, not just for the benefits? ([53:06])
3. When you think about your finances, possessions, or status, do you see any signs that the love of money has a grip on your heart? What specific steps could you take to loosen that grip? ([57:35])
4. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to be content? What is one practical way you can practice contentment this week, trusting that God has already given you what you need? ([54:41])
5. The sermon mentioned that our work, relationships, and worship are all opportunities to reflect God’s character. Is there a relationship or situation where you need to forgive, serve, or honor someone as an act of worship? ([38:25])
6. Communion is about remembering Christ, not our own worthiness. How does this truth change the way you approach communion or other spiritual practices? ([01:08:16])
7. The pastor encouraged honesty about where we’ve let the desire for gain shape our lives. Is there something you need to confess or bring into the light with someone you trust this week? ([01:04:19])