September 30, 2007am       Earthly Pursuits and Heavenly Gain        I Timothy 6

By Ronald E. George Jr.  at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

Are you content?  Are you happy with your lot in life?  Paul gives the young pastor Timothy some sage advice. ^6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.  

Contentment is the feeling of calm satisfaction.  It is happiness, pleasure, and satisfaction.  Is this the life everyone longs for?  Contentment can be seen in your face. 

Hell And Your Face   Charles H. Spurgeon, was emphasizing to his class the importance of making the facial expression harmonize with the speech. “When you speak of Heaven,” he said, “let your face light up, let it be irradiated with a heavenly gleam, let your eyes shine with reflected glory. But when you speak of Hell—well, then your ordinary face will do.”^[1]

Shortest Verse In Bible   Our attention is often directed to the two shortest verses in the Bible noting that “Jesus wept” is the shorter of the two. But in the Greek we find this “shortest” verse has three words whereas the verse from I Thessalonians 5:16 (“Rejoice evermore”) has only two. However, one surely can see the lovely connection between the two verses. The Christian’s joy flows from the sympathy and grace of their Saviour. Jesus wept—we rejoice evermore. —Daily Readings ^[2]

I Timothy 6     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. ^2 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.

^3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ^4 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 ^5 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.

^6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. ^7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ^8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ^9 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. ^10 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.

^11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ^12 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^[3]

I.  Earthly pursuits for earthly gain:  

We are tempted to seek contentment from earthly sources.  Recognition from men, power, control, things done my way, financial gain,  Disrespectful, disservice, teaching false doctrine, disagrees with and does not agree to sound instruction, conceited, unhealthy interest in controversies, quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction.  Some think that godliness is a means to financial gain. They desire financial gain because they are seeking happiness.

II.  Earthly pursuits with heavenly gain.  True contentment comes from God.  So Paul says to seek him through these avenues. 

1.      Pursue righteousness,  doing the thing that pleases the Lord.  Asks the question have I done the right thing according to the Lord?  What does the Bible say?

2.      Godliness,   living the life that honors and glorifies the Lord.  Has my life been one that would make a difference in the lives of others?  Godliness is like God.  Am I content to be who the Lord wants me to be? 

3.      Faith,  Believing and following the Lord’s direction for my life.  Have I stepped out in faith to follow God’s direction for my life?  Am I going where I haven’t been because this is where God wants me to be? 

4.      Love,  Loving God is loving others.  Not conditionally but unconditionally.  Do I love others as God has loved me?  Am I trying to share the love of God with all those in my life, including those who I don’t like? 

5.      Endurance  Keeping on keeping on with the Lord as my leader, guide, and director.  He was here first and led me to put the Father’s will ahead of my own desires.  He guides me with His Holy Word through the Bible.  He shows me the way by directing through His Holy Spirit, who lives in me.  Am I enduring the journey of faith that is often filled with things that I don’t enjoy because of Him? 

6.      Gentleness.  A person is gentle with things they care about, particularly if those things are fragile.  Jesus was gentle with conviction.  This gentleness could lead that person or help that situation to bring honor and glory to the Lord.  He drove out the money changers from the temple, but he spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well.  He rebuked his disciples, yet he washed their feet.  Can my life and convictions be seen as the gentle hand of a caring brother or sister?  Do my reactions and responses help someone up or does my life cause further stress in the lives of others? 

Will We?  Fight the good fight and Take hold of eternal life now.  This is where your contentment comes from.  Am I committed to knowing God and following Him?  Will we be content?  Remember Godliness with contentment is great gain.