Peace and Contentment

Peace and Contentment
The apostle Paul writes,
“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.
 He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions  and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 
But godliness with contentment is great gain.  
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.   But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1Timothy 6:3-10.
Here Paul is talking about false teaching and financial gain.
Now there is nothing wrong with being rich and having a lot of money. Its what motivates us to get that money and what priority we put on it. Paul notes.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

Some people, eager for money, 

have wandered from the faith 

and pierced themselves with many griefs 

1Timothy 6:10.

Paul however notes some are teaching wrong doctrine and, “think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
Such people are around today supposedly teaching in the name of Jesus saying if you give to God he will give back to you a hundred or even a thousand fold. This is not so.
We are not to give to God as if He were a banker giving super interest on what we give. We are to give to God because we feel it is right, not expecting anything in return.
Paul tells us,

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  

For we brought nothing into the world, 

and we can take nothing out of it.  

But if we have food and clothing, 

we will be content with that.    

1 Timothy 6: 6-8.

Now there is nothing wrong with wanting to get ahead in life. To have nice things. The problem comes when we focus all our efforts on getting those things to the point of forgetting God and our faith.
I like what Paul states, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 
In the western world and in particular North America where I live, people seem to lack contentment. We are bombarded by the media telling us that we need the latest greatest gadget to fulfill our lives.
We are told we need to look a certain way, dress a certain way, with the latest designer things, “made just for us”. To have the beautiful house with all the trimmings. That following such a philosophy will not give us contentment.
This is not what the apostle Paul is saying. He’s telling us we should be content with what we have. That we brought nothing into the world and will take nothing with us when we leave this world.
The pauper and the prince. The wealthiest and the poorest person on earth will stand before God equal. All their material wealth be it a little or a lot will mean nothing only what’s done for God will count.
The writer of Ecclesiastes makes four very true statements,

“What has been will be again, 

what has been done will be done again; 

there is nothing new under the sun”

Ecclesiastes 1:9

“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun;

 all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

Ecclesiastes 1:14

“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, 

but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth 

to hand it over to the one who pleases God. 

This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” 

Ecclesiastes 2:26

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: 

Fear God and keep his commandments,

 for this is the whole  duty  of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment,

 including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 

Ecclesiastes 12:13,14

What the writer is saying is that life without God is meaningless. That all the material wealth we gather is meaningless in the light of eternity. That all things on this earth are meaningless without God.
What the apostle Paul is saying is as believers in Christ. As believers in God. We are to keep the things of this world in proper perspective. Not to get into ungodly arguments. Not to put emphasis on money and the material things of this world. As long as we have adequate food, clothing the basics of life we should be content.
As Christians we have a calling to serve God in whatever way we can. We don’t need to be wealthy to do so. Offering someone a glass of water in the name of God is as much service to God as donating millions of dollars to missions.
The key is to be content with what you have in life and to present the message of Jesus to all who will receive it. For only he can give one genuine peace. Jesus who said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30

Please think about it.