1 Timothy 6. I have a sign that hangs in our master bathroom. It says: “We have water. We have food. We have clothing. We are healthy. We are content.” I bought it a few months after Hurricane Michael ripped up Panama City and destroyed many things we held dear. There were days when we despaired of life ever being normal again. I bought it because clean running water is such an amazing privilege! The same could be said for healthy, fresh food and refrigeration.

Those of us who have survived a category five hurricane know these things. Courtesy of a huge hurricane, most of the “stuff” we were so attached to was yanked from our grasping hands. And do you know what? We survived! We discovered that more “stuff” is not the essence of life. We discovered that relationships are way more important than stuff.

Thus, we nod in agreement when we read what the Apostle Paul wrote: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (6:6-8).

There were some in the church in Ephesus that thought Christian ministry was an opportunity to grow rich. They would have been the original prosperity gospel folks – the pastors with private planes and multi-million dollar estates of today. Paul reminds Timothy that the pursuit of riches is a dangerous game, a temptation for many people that often destroys their lives in unexpected ways.

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (6:9-10).

Paul wraps up his letter to Timothy with this concluding charge:

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight…Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called (6:11-12).

Let’s reflect on contentment for a moment. Would you say you are generally a content person? Would those who know you well agree? Are there things you wish you had, things you are pursuing with great effort? What do you hope they will add to your life? May we find the balance of godliness and contentment – arriving at the place of great gain that Paul mentions!