A LIFE OF CONTENTMENT
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
—1 Timothy 6:6-8
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we confess the glorious truth of the sovereignty of God. We confess that the world and everything in it is not a product of random chance, but is created by the God of Scripture. He created it and by His providence He cares for it and sustains it from moment to moment by the Word of His power (Heb. 1:3). And God’s providence includes all things that happen in heaven and on earth, nothing in all creation is left to chance. From the hairs of our head to the sparrow falling in the forest, our God reigns over all things. Ephesians 1:11 declares that “God works all things according to the counsel of His will.” We read in Daniel 4:35 that “God does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.” Proverbs 21:1 states that “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” And we read in Proverbs 16:33 that “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” We also read in the Psalms that “our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3), and “The LORD has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).
However, the demonstration that our confession is genuine is found in a life of contentment. The way we respond to our income, material possessions, disappointments, sickness, death, persecution, or even the weather, is the loudest confession the world sees and hears. Contentment is demonstrated in our life when it is obvious to others that we really believe we are in the hands of the sovereign God at every moment and in every situation.
And so, we read in our text, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” The Apostle Paul begins by saying “godliness with contentment is great gain.” In other words, true godliness produces contentment, and this is great gain because the person who possesses these qualities is unmoved by outside circumstances. He is not driven by a love of money, but is content with what the Lord gives and knows that the Lord will supply all their needs because He is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep (John 10; Psalm 23). “The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing” (Psalm 34:10).
The word contentment means “to be sufficient, to be full, or to be satisfied.” To be content is to have the confidence of faith in the sufficiency of God's provision and grace, which causes a person to be satisfied with their possessions and condition in life. To be content is to sing, “Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way. Thou art the Potter I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will; While I am waiting yielded and still.” Contentment beautifies the Christian life like fragrant flowers as it says, “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full” (Phil. 4:18). Are you known as a person of contentment?
Friday Devotional: July 24, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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