Tucked between verses on servants submitting to their own matters - in today's language workers submitting to their employers, is a verse with seven words, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain."
Paul admonishes us 1 Timothy 4:7,8
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come
Godliness, is a virtue we are embark training in through out life. Godliness helps us in every way. Godliness is a virtue that invokes on God the Holy Spirit to help us in discernment! The Bible is helpful to that longing soul that seeks to satisfy a heart sold out to God! Godliness will be of value to help you in striking a balance so that you do not fall into fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition (6:9). Godliness will be of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (4:8). Godliness in the allure of excess will open doors to help you see opportunities that leave a mark into eternity because only what is done for Jesus will last.
Contentment on the other hand tells us to be happy with what we have! "Better is little" I believe through God the Holy Spirit I will be able to discern when my little is much! The emphasis I believe is remaining righteous - in other words considering the precepts of God's word as your guide. Psalms 37:16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. Having the right attitude in obedience to God is also key. In a recent blog I referred to an elderly Bishop who said, "do not serve money but let money serve you!" Prov 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.... Prov 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Paul concludes his admonition in verse 11 that, But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
We are to flee: dishonoring/dispising our masters v 1, false doctrine v 3, pride/ ignorance/arguments over words which bring all that is given in v4-5, straying from the faith in greed v 10 etc
Lord, help us to strike that balance and be relevant as we serve You!
Paul admonishes us 1 Timothy 4:7,8
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come
Godliness, is a virtue we are embark training in through out life. Godliness helps us in every way. Godliness is a virtue that invokes on God the Holy Spirit to help us in discernment! The Bible is helpful to that longing soul that seeks to satisfy a heart sold out to God! Godliness will be of value to help you in striking a balance so that you do not fall into fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition (6:9). Godliness will be of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (4:8). Godliness in the allure of excess will open doors to help you see opportunities that leave a mark into eternity because only what is done for Jesus will last.
Contentment on the other hand tells us to be happy with what we have! "Better is little" I believe through God the Holy Spirit I will be able to discern when my little is much! The emphasis I believe is remaining righteous - in other words considering the precepts of God's word as your guide. Psalms 37:16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. Having the right attitude in obedience to God is also key. In a recent blog I referred to an elderly Bishop who said, "do not serve money but let money serve you!" Prov 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.... Prov 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Paul concludes his admonition in verse 11 that, But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
We are to flee: dishonoring/dispising our masters v 1, false doctrine v 3, pride/ ignorance/arguments over words which bring all that is given in v4-5, straying from the faith in greed v 10 etc
Lord, help us to strike that balance and be relevant as we serve You!
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