Great Gain Series

Theme: Great Gain

Text: 1 Timothy 6:3-10

Introduction:

Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus are known as Pastoral Letters. The first letter to Timothy is concerned about Christian worship and Church administration. Second letter challenge to endure sufferings and be bold witness till death. Letter to Titus expresses on how to choose Church leaders, how to instruct different Church groups and on Christian conduct. These letters date back to 63 to 67 AD.

6:3-5 Be Sound in Doctrines

This passage explains the struggle of a believer to identify the sound doctrine. Every preacher, every crusader and every Bible teacher wants to claim that he is RIGHT. Every denomination believes that their teaching is SOUND Doctrine. Then who is a false teacher, the false prophet and Pseudo Pastor? Then which denomination or ministry is WRONG. The very simple answer is all those persons and all those denominations which are not promoting Christ but promoting a person other than Christ and teach doctrines other than of Love of God. All those are struck with dogmas, traditions and hatred are the teachers of False doctrine.

Teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ are scattered throughout Gospels and in New Testament passages. Epistles writers mentioned the teachings and doctrines of Jesus Christ in their own context and necessities to feed the readers of their time and culture. However, these words were prompted by the Holy spirit and energized with the power of God to save, heal and warn people of all generations. The word of God does the following three things as per Psalmist in Psalm 119: makes wiser (v. 98), gives more insights (v. 99) and gives more understanding (v. 100). The main references to the Teachings of Jesus Christ are Civic responsibilities and money matters. If anyone is against teachings of Christ and the Word of God at-large, he is more interested in controversies, quarrels which leads to envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, constant friction and he is a man with the corrupted mind (V. 5). We need to grow more in love and care for others. We must be matured to forgive and go forward in faith. We must be content with what we have in our lives.

6:6-8 Be Content with what you have

God never left anyone without blessings. Everyone is conferred with appropriate gifts and grace. Two words are important Godliness (Greek: eusebeia) and contentment (Greek: autarkeia). Godliness is an outward and visible act seen by all – such as devotion, piousness and religious practices whereas the contentment is an inward expression of state of a mind, an attitude of the heart, gratitude of a person in every life situations. Be self-sufficient. So be content with food and clothing (v. 6). Can food and clothing be sufficient for us? NO. We need a car to move, we need a flat or apartment to stay safe, we need a phone to be connected, we need education for a job. ” According to Adam Clark, “it signifies a measure of secular things which is necessary for the support of life”. Paul insists with an inner attitude of contentment, makes one independent of outward circumstances, satisfied with one’s inner resources, enabling one to maintain a spiritual equilibrium in the midst of favourable as well as unfavourable circumstances (Mark Dunagan).

The Greek autarkeia refers to "sufficiency" in all things at all times, having all that you need (ref: 2 Corinthians 9:8). "content" in Philippians 4:11 says "having a sufficiency in one's self". The Lord always supplies His people with what is necessary for them”(Calvin). Being content doesn’t mean to give up on dreams and goals. John Trapp: “True piety hath true plenty, and is never without a well-contenting sufficiency, full self-sufficiency”. Expositors Commentary says: “Content is a man’s finding not only his resources in himself but being indifferent to everything else besides”. Stoic taught his followers that “a man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will, to resist the force of circumstances”.

According to Van Oosterzee, “Apostle Paul expresses two chief ideas, true piety of itself makes content, and that by doing so it brings great gain”. Cambridge Bible for schools and colleges says: St Paul’s ‘way to be wealthy’ is by limiting our wants and resting on the limitless sufficiency of the presence. Ellicott says: “True godliness is ever accompanied with perfect contentment” Benson adds, “Contentment is the inseparable vital companion of Piety”. Mathew Henry goes one step further and says: “all truly godly people are content”. Barnes says: “contentment refers to a state of mind; a calm and satisfied feeling; a freedom from murmuring and complaining. Gill says: True godliness is gaining, thriving, truly gracious, they come into good and happy circumstances, and possessor of solid, satisfying, durable, and unsearchable riches of the grace of God. They are heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ for heavenly inheritance. They are kings and priests to God and have an exceeding great reward.