“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
In 1907, the promotional phrase “Carnation condensed milk, the milk from contented cows” was introduced. The message implied that contented cows give higher-quality milk. In like manner, beloved, when we cultivate godliness with contentment, we will experience great gain, grow in wisdom and stature, and serve the Lord’s mandate for lost humanity with distinction.
Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious spirit that freely submits to every condition, knowing that the Lord will reward us (Psalms 37:4). At the heart of true contentment, therefore, is trusting and resting in God’s providence, and not focusing on our external circumstances.
Murmuring and complaining about the present circumstances of life can lead to discontentment. You may be justly discontented because you have been overlooked for promotion at your place of work despite being more academically qualified and experienced than your successor. You may have been a victim of character assassination, which caused you to suffer from discrimination, marginalisation, victimisation, stagnation, and rejection. But be reminded that these trials come with serving God.
Godliness is living a fruitful, obedient Christian life, while true contentment is only found in Christ through faith. The only way that we can battle the sin of covetousness and greed is by joyfully resting and delighting in God’s providence and trusting and treasuring His sacrificial provision. To experience biblical contentment, we need to have an inward trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness that produces the fruit of joy, peace, and thanksgiving in a believer’s life in the midst of trials and adversities – the fruit of the Spirit.
Friends, let’s not inculcate ‘a form’ of godliness because it is anti-God and anti-Christ. The Word in 2 Timothy 3:5-7 admonishes us that we should have nothing to do with people who ‘have a form of godliness.’ They are “loaded down with sins and…swayed by evil desires…”. A “form” of anything is a false representation of everything.
Beloved, Jesus was falsely persecuted, yet He was not discontented. He had a plan. He was rejected by the Jews as the Messiah, betrayed by Judas for thirty pieces of silver, and the eleven remaining disciples abandoned Him. He was mocked, beaten, cursed, hauled before the Sanhedrin court on false charges, received thirty-nine lashes with the flagellum whip that scourged flesh from his body, and then crucified on Calvary’s cross. Bloody, battered, and bruised, He petitioned God to forgive our sins. Should we do anything less? I think not!
Read: Matthew 23:27; Ephesians 1:11
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 19:13-22; 1 Corinthians 4; 1 Chronicles 26:20-32; 1 Chronicles 27
Hallelujah. Amen 🙏