But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6)
If we all had the level of trust and contentment that this American Dipper Bird has as he does his routine in the river, we would have all that we truly need in this life.
Some have trouble to be content with what they have. When the weather is hot, they wish it were winter. And when the weather is cold, they wish it were summer. When it’s raining, they wish the sun would shine. And when the sun is shining too much, they wish it were raining. When they’re with family, they wish the family would leave them alone.
When they’re alone, they wish they could be with family. When they’re at home, they dream of traveling. And when they’re traveling, they can’t wait to be home again. When they’re young, they wish to be older. And when they’re older, they wish to be young. When they have a small house, they desire a big house. When they have a big house, they wish to have a smaller house because there’s so much upkeep.
Never satisfied.
The words of Paul are very true:
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on him (Mat 6:33), and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives (Phil 4:11-13).
Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, most people still believe that money brings happiness. Many rich people craving greater riches can be caught in an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction.
How can we keep away from the love of money?
Paul gives us some guidelines:
(1) Realize that one day riches will all be gone (1 Tim 6:7, 1 Tim 6:17);
(2) be content with what you have (1 Tim 6:8);
(3) monitor what you are willing to do to get more money (1 Tim 6:9-10);
(4) love people more than money (1 Tim 6:11);
(5) love God’s work more than money (1 Tim 6:11);
(6) freely share what you have with others (1 Tim 6:18).
Make your life preparation for eternity. You have not a moment to lose. Do you keep God’s commandments? Do you fear to offend Him? Do you feel your dependence on Christ? Do you realize that you must be kept every moment by His power? Is your life filled each day with submission, contentment, and gratitude? {MM 129.3}
God has given you life and all the rich blessings that make it enjoyable, and in return He has claims upon you for service, for gratitude, for love, for obedience to His law. . . . He requires you to control passion, to restrain selfish thoughts and actions, and to leave fretful words unspoken. Would Jesus require this self-control, if it were not for your real happiness to practice it? No; He wishes you to cultivate such traits of character as will bring peace to your own hearts, and enable you to brighten other hearts and lives with the sunshine of love, joy, and cheerful contentment. {SD 254.2}