1 Timothy 6:6-10 | The Great Gain of Godliness with Contentment | John Cole

How do we have money without loving it? Without setting our heart on it and being misled away from the gospel? Listen in to this sermon to hear what the Bible says about this. Click "more" below to find an outline that helps you follow along and discuss with others. Click on the "Full Sermon Manuscript" button to read and study that in a blog format.

A CLOSE ENEMY

Are you content with what you have?

1 Timothy 6:3–10 KJV

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting [sickeningly obsessing] about questions [controversial disputes] and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings [slander], evil surmisings [suspicions], 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt[ed] minds, and destitute [robbed] of the truth, 

supposing that gain is [something to be grasped by] godliness: from such withdraw thyself.  

1 Timothy 6:3–10 KJV

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

     7 For we brought nothing into this world, 

         and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

     8 And having food and raiment [covering] 

          let us be therewith content.  

9 But they that will [set their heart to] be rich fall 

     into temptation and a snare, and

     into many foolish and hurtful lusts [cravings], 

          which drown men in destruction and perdition [perishing]. 

     10 For the love of money is the [a] root of all evil[s]:

          which while some coveted [aspired] after, 

               they have erred [been misled] from the faith, and

               pierced [impaled] themselves through with many sorrows [pains]. 

1) KEEP AN  ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE  OF YOUR GODLINESS AND POSSESSIONS. (v6-8)

Consider: Job 1:21; Ecclesiastes 5:15

Same Greek root word for “contentment”: 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:11

Trust in the Lord enables contentment: Hebrews 13:5.

Living for the gospel enables contentment: Mark 8:35-36.

• Whatever you have is more than what you brought or can take with you.

• You are always a recipient. God is always the giver.

• If you trust God with your eternity (though you bring no possessions into it), trust Him with your needs today.

• Godliness with contentment is gain that goes with you.

Q: Are you more concerned with obtaining possessions than with being godly?

2) GUARD FROM BEING  OVERTAKEN  WITH  DESTRUCTIVE AMBITIONS . (v9)

Desire to be rich—fall/temptation/snare—many destroying lusts

• Godly desires may diligently steward riches, but godly desires do not seek to be rich.

• A heart set on riches is itself a temptation that snares.

• A heart set on riches leads to a flood of destructive passions.

• Set your heart on Christ and the riches of His grace instead.

Consider the wisdom of God: Proverbs 23:4-5; 28:22; Matthew 6:24

Q: Is your heart set on riches? How is that going?

3) UPROOT  GREED  BEFORE IT  MISLEADS  AND  PAINS  YOU. (v10)

Hear the psalmist: Psalm 52:7

• Uproot aspirations to be rich and ask God instead to give you aspirations for godliness.

• You will be deceived if you love money.

• You will suffer evil pain if you love money.

• Do not be led away from the eternal gospel for vanishing money.

Q: Do you love money? Why?

4) SET YOUR HEART ON  KEEPING THE FAITH , NOT  GANING MORE MONEY .

SERMON IN A SENTENCE:  Seek  godliness with contentment that  goes with you , and  uproot  love of money that  ruins you.