Godliness and Gain

Read 1 Timothy 6

There exists within the human nature a craving for more.  It is the desire for bigger, better, newer, different, latest, or something in addition to what we have.  Properly disciplined such inward motivations can spur one on to great accomplishments that will benefit many other people.  However, on its own natural desires will lead to selfishness and sin.

 The caution in this chapter concerning godliness and gain manifests itself in three areas.

 1.     Doctrinal truth.

To the false teachers, the simplicity of the Gospel and the truth of God’s word were not enough.  They wanted something different.  They wanted more.  They wanted something else.  Their pride loved to argue and cause dissension.  Paul said this comes from a depraved mind.  At the heart of this vanity was personal financial gain (v.5).

2.     Material wealth.

All things being equal, hard and wise work should produce gain.  Indeed, a person who loves and serves God works to manage what the Lord gives in strength, mind, and opportunities.  “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18) 

 Then, Paul goes on to say that those who are “rich” (a relative term) are “to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”  These things characterize “that which is truly life.”

 But, when gain becomes the goal for self-serving reasons, sin is at the door.  It becomes a lust that leads to “ruin and destruction” and “all kinds of evil.”

3.     Spiritual Growth.

The tone of verse 17 is as if the Apostle yelled at Pastor Timothy, “BUT YOU!”  One who personally knows Jesus lives with a different mindset.  Our true goal in life is to “flee” from false teaching and selfish gain to pursue a demonstrated godly character.  There are six items listed in this verse that we are to work on all the time.

 That pursuit is the context and definition of what it means to “Fight the good fight of faith” (v.12).  It will require that kind of daily discipline.  The result will be a life that pleases God and benefits others.

 “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (v.6)