Be Content

1 Timothy 6. In this closing chapter Paul addresses the ministry of the church to the world vocationally, materially, and intellectually. Let's look at the second one: materially vss.6-10. First, Paul says that the secret to contentment is godliness. At birth we brought nothing into this world, and at death we take nothing out. Therefore, be content with the necessities of life and be content with godliness. What is contentment? It's an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace in spite of outward circumstances.
Second, Paul says that the secret to contentment is NOT money (vss.9-10). Why? Four reasons:
1. IT TEMPTS AND ENSLAVES 6:9. Money becomes their master.
2. IT CAUSES MANY FOOLISH AND HURTFUL LUST 6:9b. Money cannot buy happiness.
Money Will Buy:

• a bed but not sleep;
• books but not brains;
• food but not appetite;
• finery but not beauty;
• a house but not a home;
• medicine but not health;
• luxuries but not culture;
• amusements but not happiness;
• religion but not salvation;
• a passport to everywhere but heaven.

3. IT DROWNS MEN IN DESTRUCTION 6:9c.
The word 'drown' is a descriptive picture of wealth being a personal monster, which plunges its victims into an ocean of complete destruction.
4. IT [the love of money] IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL 6:10.
Most people misquote this "money is the root of all evil". No! It's the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. Money by itself is amoral, like a gun. A gun in the hand of a policeman is a good thing, but in the hand of a criminal, it's a bad thing. The gun is amoral. Money on its own can be a wonderful tool for good. Money is amoral. But like anything else, it can become an idol. The real danger with money is that it obscures the simplicity of life.

Let me close today's thoughts with a great quote:
"You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled."
---Charles Haddon Spurgeon