Yesterday the stock market hit a new high, property values reached all-time levels, and consumer confidence is on the rebound. The gurus would have you believe that the rebound is happening, and prosperity is right around the corner. Before you drink the kool-aid and buy into what they are selling, ask yourself one question, “Is this all there is?” Your greatest gain shouldn’t be in your portfolio or bank account but in your spirit. Your greatest gain comes with the combination of godliness and contentment.
1 Timothy 6:6
“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.”
Work on This
As a young pastor, Timothy has a lot of challenges coming at him all at once. It would be easy to focus on the wrong goals and end up frustrated. His mentor, Paul, tells him how to take those in stride. Before Timothy was to work on the issues of the church, he was to work on himself. Paul tells him to build godliness and be content. If Timothy concentrated on those, the mounting stress of the church would diminish.
Develop Godliness
All of us should be developing godliness in our lives. Godliness is acquiring the traits and character of Jesus. It is being molded and shaped into His image and manifesting His Spirit in our dealings with others. We are to pursue this before we attempt to acquire anything else.
Your Greatest Gain
We also need to couple contentment with that pursuit of godliness. Contentment is a state of mind where we are satisfied with where God has us and what we have. I know this flies in the face of everything we are told, but this is some real gold. Instead of pursuing the next goal, be content with where you are, and trust God to take you to the next step. When we release that to Him, it takes all of the pressure off. Be content and focus on your godliness, and you will discover your greatest gain.