GODLY CONTENTMENT

B. Godly Christian Contentment, 1 Timothy 6:6-8

"Barclay says, 'Contentment comes from an inner attitude to life'.1 If a pastor is not content inwardly with her/his relationship with God, how can the pastor expect to shepherd people who need that daily close relationship with God? Verse 8 says, "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (NIV). There are commentaries which indicate that this verse includes basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and in our time, means of transportation. Every pastor, minister, evangelist and missionary is tempted at times to want more. The human nature of man seeks to have more. At times, this brings discontent in our lives. It is then that one realizes God has promised daily needs not all the wants that come to mind. The Holy Spirit brings the realization that godly contentment is having God - even when struggles come in material matters. The Apostle Paul must have faced this.2

One has to wonders what the Apostle meant when he said, "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11b). It is understand that the condition Paul faced in Asia was beyond any measure of his being able to possibly supply the need that he had at the time. He says, "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. . . ." (2 Corinthians 1:8). He further commends some by saying, 'Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf" (v. 11). God has a way of sustaining those who sincerely trust him and the temptations that come are thwarted by the joy of knowing such an awesome, providential God. Milton Gordon 10/2005

1William Barclay, The Letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960), 149.
2Donald Guthrie, The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Erdmans Publishing Company, 1957), 125. Guthrie writes, "If we have no more than the bare necessities such as food and clothing (skepasma literally means 'covering material', which may represent shelter as well as clothes) contentment should result. E. F. Scott, The Pastoral Epistles. (New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, no date), 75. Scott posits, "The word translated 'clothes' is a comprehensive one, including all necessary shelter and covering.