What keeps You from being Content?
December 19, 2019
Commentary
The message of salvation appealed to slaves and many of them became believers. Paul told the slaves to maintain an attitude of respect as a testimony to their unbelieving masters (vv. 1-2). If a master is a Christian, they should give even better respect to him. The danger was that a Christian slave who had found liberty in Christ might be tempted to have less respect for his unbelieving master then he should. As Christians, masters and slaves became spiritual equals, brothers and sisters in Christ (Gal. 3:28). Paul’s council for the master/slave relationship can be applied to the employer/employee relationship today.
The marks of false teachers need to be recognized (vv. 3-5). The first sign of the false teachers was their “doctrine,” that which was not according to the Word of God (v. 3). We are instructed not to deny, add to, or take away from God’s Word. The second sign was pride (v. 4), one filled with himself. The third sign was his words (v. 4) which bring disputes, envy, strife, and evil doing. Instead, you and I are to edify one another (Eph. 4:29).
Paul tells Timothy that true godliness with contentment is something every man should seek after (v. 6). This contentmentmakes one independent of outward circumstances because of his inner resources. This means he will be able to maintain a proper attitude amid unfavorable as well as favorable circumstances. We did not bring anything into this world at birth and we will not take anything out of it when we die (v. 7). We need to learn to be satisfied when our actual needs of food, clothing and shelter are met (v. 8). Many get sidetracked and waste their lives just seeking to accumulate money and the things it will buy (v.9). Money is not evil but when a person makes it his chief motive for living it becomes evil (v. 10).
Application
I need to focus on the things that really bring me lasting happiness. What are some things that only bring temporary satisfaction. What are the things God says I need to be content (v. 8)?
1 Timothy 6:1– 10 (NET)
1 Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited. 2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.
3 If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit. 6 Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. 7 For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. 8 But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. 9 Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.