Light in this Present Darkness is Contentment
3 "If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:3-10.
Contextual Interpretation Reveals Great Gain
When attempting to understand the scriptures, always remember the three basic rules that must be observed to discern them correctly: context, context, and context.
The Gain No One Should Ever Want
According to the Apostle Paul, when writing his first letter to his disciple Timothy and us through the scriptures, anyone who does not adhere to sound doctrine according to the Lord Jesus Christ and conforms to godliness is conceited. He follows what seems reasonable and easy to interpret with the phrase "and understands nothing." Most would say to me, or probably you, if we were to make such a statement with something like, "Really, understands nothing, isn't that a bit harsh? I've lived for fifty years, and I understand nothing."
Following the phrase in verse four, we read about various sinful and deviant behaviors, beginning with "a sick craving for controversial questions and word disputes. It would appear that Paul was not in favor of arguing, particularly by people primarily not concerned about the truth but about being right. The people in context stir up envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction. The approach taken by some leads to nothing good. However, what kind of people is Paul speaking about?
Paul describes them as "people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth." The word Paul uses for depraved is diaphtheírō or thoroughly corrupt, totally degenerate, waste away by the decaying influence of moral (spiritual) impurity, becoming entirely disabled.
The Identity of Gain Seekers: Principled or Personal
At this point, most readers are thinking about the Adolf Hitlers of the world. However, immediately following these vile descriptions, the statement is, "Who suppose that godliness is a means of gain." So who are these people? Within Paul's context of controversy seekers versus truth seekers, some live on principles, and others trust a person. The principles of Christianity, when followed, can yield financial success even though Paul says some suppose it does. Paul is not trying to say it doesn't; that is not his point.
Contentment Always Accompanies Great Gain
His main point is that "godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment." Notice he does not say gain but great gain; why? When accompanied by contentment. The option is following Christian principles for money, which amounts to using Christ to make money. We live in such a materialistic society in America that these arguments of Paul should cause many of us to question our choices.
If there is any wonder about what Paul means about contentment, he also clarifies that. "For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these, we shall be content." True Christianity is contentment with the person of Jesus Christ.
It is possible to follow Christian principles, be financially successful, and then not realize, "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction." Please make no mistake: the destruction of which Paul speaks is of the soul.
My dear readers, the Bible is a book that pierces the heart like no other. I feel the piercing as I write, "If we have food and (clothing) in Greek, with these, we shall be content." Paul doesn't even mention a house.
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