PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 2014 TRAIN THE TRAINERS WORKSHOP
HELD ON SATURDAY 26TH JULY, AT OUR REDEEMER ANGLICAN CHURCH.
Theme: “GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN”
Text: 1 Timothy 6:6
INTRODUCTION:
“Now godliness combined with contentment bring great profit” 1 Tim 6:6. (New English Translation) It is said that sometimes big things come in little packages. 1 Timothy 6:6 is loaded with profound spiritual insight and complexity. However, we must note that we live in a world in which the population in general is interested in obtaining "great gain." Throughout the history of man "getting-rich-quick" have always attracted great interest. Even today, in our so called enlightened age, virtually anyone is assured of a large following if he can only convince the public that his "new idea " will produce great gain.
However, the faithful child of God is also concerned about "great gain."The faithful Christian is aware that there are two kinds of gain physical and spiritual. While great physical gain is not inherently sinful, its possession often comes at tremendous risk to spirituality. On the one hand, with the increase of material wealth, there is the accompanying danger that the possessor thereof might become "high-minded," and prone to "trust in uncertain riches" instead of "in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:7). We often multiply our earthly cares as we increase our material wealth (Eccl. 5:10-12). Then, too, as a materially wealthy person nears the sunset of earthly life his tangible possessions may become a source of great concern as he begins to contemplate the hands into which they will fall; will the next owner "be a wise man or a fool" (Eccl. 2:19)? Also earthly riches are inherently "uncertain," for there is always the possibility that they will be corrupted by "moth" or "rust," or thieves might "break through and steal" (Matt. 6:19). Indeed, the pages of history are filled with the biographies of multi-millionaires who died penniless and friendless. Perhaps with regards to material wealth we would do well to develop the attitude of Agur who petitioned God, saying, "Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches . . . Lest I be full and deny You, and say, `Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God" (Prov. 30:7-9).
In view of the hidden dangers associated with earthly riches Paul warned against men "of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth" who suppose that "gain is godliness" (1 Tim. 6:5). He stated that those whose goal is to be rich "fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Tim. 6:9). He affirmed that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Tim. 6:10). And he gave instructions to those "that are rich in this world" to trust in God, and to use their possessions to "do good." It is one thing to be possessed by your possessions and quite another to faithfully manage those possessions entrusted to you as a wise, God-fearing steward! It is one thing to have "godliness with contentment," and something else to have godliness without contentment! But it is sure that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 6:6).
WHAT IS GODLINESS?
Godliness is living in God’s way and following His standard. Godliness is being like God (Matt 5:45,48) and doing those things that please Him (Luke 2:52). Godliness is one of the "Christian graces" which a Christian must continually develop in his effort to make his "calling and election sure" (2 Pet. 1:5-10). Godliness and "holy conduct" should characterize responsible people as they contemplate the ultimate dissolution of the created universe (2 Pet. 3:11). In fact, the truth we acknowledge "is according to godliness" (Tit. 1:1).
Godliness is basic to a proper relationship with God. This is the character quality which enables one to say "hallowed be thy Name" (Matt. 6:9) with meaning and true reverence. This is the attitude which prompts a feeling of dependence on God, an attitude of reverence toward God, and a willingness to submit to the instructions of God. The godly know that God is indeed "in His holy temple," and they are disposed to "keep silence before Him" (Hab. 2: 20), always mindful of their smallness and His greatness.
The godly are so mindful of the awe inspiring majesty of the Father of spirits (Heb. 12:9) that they dare not use God's holy name as a byword, or make jokes about things sacred. Their feeling of awe in the greatness of him who is the "Almighty" (Gen. 17:1), and infinitely "holy" God (Isa. 6:3), make it unthinkable for them to joke about heaven or hell, or to question the wisdom and integrity of God on any issue.
WHAT IS CONTENTMENT?
Contentment is satisfaction with what we have and what we don’t have. It is being honest with our condition. Contentment also means sufficient in oneself, self sufficient, adequate, needing no assistance; hence, content" (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W.E. Vine). This same word is translated "sufficiency" in 2 Corinthians 9:8 wherein to certain generous, cheerful givers Paul said, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work."
The "sufficiency" of real contentment is not determined by the size of one's bank account, but by the size of his trust in God. It may be likened to the unworried confidence of a small child who, though he may possess nothing of his own, is care free because he knows his parents won't forsake him, nor ignore his material and emotional needs. Wasn't that the secret behind the contentment of the apostle Paul who, while a prisoner in chains, wrote, saying, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Phil. 4:11)?
Ironically, many materially rich people are never content, whereas others (much poorer in purse), like the Corinthians unto whom God's grace abounded, have "all sufficiency in all things." When all is said and done, contentment is not based upon what a person has, nor is it determined by where he lives. Rather, contentment is based upon what a person is, and it is determined by his awareness of the nearness of a merciful and beneficent heavenly Father who exhorts his children, saying, "Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have, For . . . I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5; Josh. 1:5). When we FOLLOW Jesus, we walk in godliness and when we LIVE in Christ we find contentment.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A GODLY AND CONTENTED BELIEVER
1. He seek God in God’s term and not his own terms (Acts 10:2, Acts 10:44-48)
2. He worship God in truth and in Spirit. (John 4:24, Heb 13:15, Rom 12:1)
3. He shows respect for God by studying and obeying His word. (John 14:15) Adam & Eve lost their godliness for lack of contentment. Gen 3:1-5
THE GAINS OF GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT
1. It will keep you from harmful desires- (Prodigal Son, Ananias & Saphira)
2. It will make you faithful and fruitful- (Daniel, Meshach & co)
3. It will keep you focused on God’s providence- ( Abraham and Isaac)
4. It will help you to live a stress free life
5. It helps to live above sin and gain everlasting life

CONCLUSION:
Let me conclude with Aesop’s fable about the dog and his reflection. A dog was walking along with a piece of meat in his mouth. He’s walking across a stream, and he looks down at the water. He sees what he thinks is another dog with a piece of meat. He wants what the “other” dog has. So he opens his mouth to bark at the other dog, and in the process, of course, he loses the piece of meat he has. That’s what his extreme desire for more got him.
What will your present extreme desire cost you? Many people lack peace because they are not contented with what they have. A discontented person is easy to spot. He is unhappy, fretting, worried, negative, unthankful no matter how many good things they have. They can overlook hundred important things to fret hard about one minor thing.
Pride leads them to expectations beyond reality; they think too highly of themselves to fit reality.They dabble into some nefarious activities in search of the material things of this world which lead to stress related diseases. We must beware not to run after the material things of this world which do not bring satisfaction, or those things that attract undue responsibilities, or those things that hurt when they have flown away. How do you cultivate contentment? Contentment is developed when you endeavour to enjoy the present blessings of God in your life and give Him glory for such benefits (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19, Psalm 103:1-5). “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:5-6. What you have now is enough for now.
IT IS WELL!
The Rev. Olufemi Babs