How Much is Enough?
Philippians 4:10-20; 1 Timothy 6:6-12
Contentment seems to elude many in American culture today who seek it in every place other than the Word of God. The Bible teaches us that true contentment is found in only in Christ.
Godliness is a companion of contentment. Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy to instruct him on how he was to pastor the church in Ephesus where he had been sent as an elder.
One of Paul’s warnings to Timothy was that false teachers would come into the church seeking to preach the gospel for their own gain.
In contemporary culture, some still seek out Christianity for their own gain – for God’s material blessings or for health and wealth. However, Christ should be sought as our treasure, not for the earthly treasure he may give.
In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul writes that contentment with godliness is great gain. Paul reminds Timothy that we came into the world with nothing, but that even in times of great want, contentment is achievable and coupled with godliness, it should be enough to satisfy the believer.
Greed is an enemy of contentment.
Paul warns Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:9-12 that greed is not only an enemy of contentment, but that it leads to all kinds of wickedness. Paul’s words, “The love of money is the root of all evil,” have stood through nearly 2,000 years as a warning against the dangers of greed in the world. Greed will not lead to godliness, and it may even draw some away from God altogether. Money is not inherently bad, but money should be viewed as a tool to bring glory to God and to serve in accomplishing his mission.
Faith is the key to contentment. Finally, contentment is fleeting and is often rare to grasp, but in Philippians 4:10-20, Paul gives great insight into the ultimate key to contentment.
Paul wrote to thank the Philippians for the gifts they had sent to him, but shares with them that their gifts and his comfort are not necessary for his contentment.
The key to happiness and contentment is not making enough money or having enough friends or enough toys. Instead, the key to contentment in life is faith in Christ.
Paul says that he has learned to be content in any situation, and what is his secret? Christ. Christ is the key, and God will supply all that is necessary for his children’s needs to be met. When our contentment is rooted in Christ, we can find ourselves content in any circumstance because he fills us to the uttermost.
Thompson– Lessons by Craig Thompson, pastor of Malvern Hill Church, Camden. Thompson earned his B.A from Presbyterian College and is pursuing a Ph.D. from Southern Seminary, where he also earned his M.Div.