Contentment

     In the pastoral epistle of 1 Timothy, the apostle, the friend, the father, Paul writes to his "true child in the faith" (1:2) Timothy. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to minister to the people there. Ephesus, at the time, was the greatest city in Asia Minor. It was the center of everything you could think of or want. Commerce, education, idolatry, magic, the worship of gods and goddesses, and anything to satisfy what the flesh desired. One of the main issues that Paul deals with in this letter is false teaching, which is a big problem that Timothy was encountering in the church. Teachings that went against the truth of the gospel which Paul and many others had persevered to proclaim, the message that Jesus is enough. In 6:1-10, Paul warns Timothy of those who would use the gospel as an avenue to gain more. They are prideful. They are greedy. Basically, Paul is telling that these people are teaching , " I need more than Jesus, he is not enough"  and that in the end, their greed will lead them and others away from the faith and into ruin. So in 6:6-8 (ESV), Paul's advice to Timothy is as follows:


     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.


     So, the question, I present is this, what is true contentment and how can we be content? This is something my wife and I have struggled with recently. Rachael and I had just returned to Colorado Springs after traveling for the last three months and upon arrival quickly put together a list of things that we "needed". Everything from an apartment to an organizer for all of the random nails and screws tucked away under our bed. As we were out pursuing these things, we quickly found ourselves in a cycle of hope, discouragement, prayer, and perspective.  We would go into stores and struggle with buying or putting back on the shelf the things that we needed but could live without, but still wanting them. Then looking at town homes and apartments, worrying about our car that needs new tires, we were constantly brought back to the reality of how much money we actually have coming in each month. Then it causes us to think, "we could alway step out of ministry and get jobs and life would be so much easier.". The Holy Spirit was rather quick to convict us. There were many things that never were crossed off of the list, but that was all right because as the Holy Spirit worked in our hearts, we were reminded of what it means to be content.
    So, What is contentment? Kenneth Wuest says in reference to this passage in 1Timothy 6:6-8 " Contentment is autarkeia(Greek). It speaks of an inward self-sufficiency as opposed to the lack  or desire of outward things."(1) Even when we all are found lacking or desiring outward things, how can we be content? It is quite a simple answer, but I think that it is so simple that sometimes we tend to overlook it.
     The message of the gospel is the answer, that Jesus came to save sinners like you and I, that God has dealt with us far better than we deserve. Ephesians 1:3-14 speaks volumes about what we have all been given through Jesus:


     Every spiritual blessing
     We were chosen before the foundation of the world
     Predestined for adoption as sons of God
     Redemption through Jesus' sacrifice
     Forgiveness of trespasses
     An inheritance
     Salvation
     Sealed with the Holy Spirit


     This my friend is how we can be content, that God has given us far more than we deserve or could ever earn or buy, therefore we can rejoice and praise Jesus for what He has done for us, and what He has done for us is more than enough, it is all that we need. Be encouraged because Jesus is our contentment. Like Rachael and I did when we were discouraged, ask God to help you when you are not content. Do not let the things of this world take the place of Jesus and what He has done for you and given to you. I love the next thing that Paul tells Timothy, 6:11-12(ESV) and I will leave you with these words:


     But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.




(1) Word Studies in the Greek New Testament. Wuest,Kenneth. The Exegesis of 1 Timothy, pg 94