"For physical training is of some value, BUT GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. THIS IS A TRUSTWORTHY SAYING that deserves full acceptance."
GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS. This certiainly is a TRUSTWORTHY TRUTH. It’s absolute truth. It’s truth very much needed in 21st Century America.
We are healthier and wealthier in America than any culture in the history of the planet. Yet we also have more emotional and mental disorders, more addictions and more syndromes than any culture in history.
According to the World Values Survey quoted in the March 2004 issue of Christianity Today, the U.S. ranks 16th among the world’s 65 happiest countries. We probably would have guessed that with all of our good health and affluence we would have been number one. But the distinction of being the world’s happiest country goes to Nigeria! The world’s 140th ranking economy has the number one ranking in happiness. How ironic.
How can we explain this disparity? Perhaps it is because the Nigerians have not been spoiled by materialism. I’m not sure. But in spite of their poverty, plagues and political unrest - they have found value.
It seems in America we must find a way to happiness around our affluence.
Take for instance the comparison Paul makes in our text passage. "Physical training is of some value, BUT GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS."
Sure getting in good shape is important - but it is not THE most important thing. Godliness is THE most important. Godliness is the most valuable.
Its time to make some important value judgments.
Bank managers and store owners constantly tell their employees to cooperate with robbers. Give them the money. It can be replaced. Your life cannot.
That’s a value judgment. You decide what is most valuable and you make your decisions accordingly. And that’s what God’s Word is teaching us here. We are told what to place the most priority on what has the most value - godliness.
Not popularity, not possessions, not pleasure, and not power. Godliness. Following God. Being like God. Doing His will. Godliness.
Have you heard about the important business executive who boarded the New Orleans to Washington train?
He was a very heavy sleeper and needed to be awakened in order to get off the train in Atlanta about five o’clock in the morning. He had a very important business meeting in Atlanta so he couldn’t afford to miss his stop. He found a porter and told him, "I want you to wake me in time to get off the train at 5 o’clock in Atlanta. Now I’m a very heavy sleeper, and it doesn’t matter if I fret or fuss over what you do - you must put me off the train in Atlanta."
But the next morning he awakened at about 9 o’clock and the train had long since passed Atlanta. He located the porter and really poured it on with all sorts of abusive language, almost attacking the poor guy bodiliy. After he left, an observer said to the porter, "How could you just stand there and take that kind of talk from that man?"
The porter looked up rather sheepishly and replied, "That ain’t nothin’. You should’ve seen the guy I put off in Atlanta!"
That’s the problem with a lot of people today. They haven’t gotten off at the right station. Their priorities are askew. And consequently their lives are unsettled.
God wants your life to have value. He doesn’t want your life to be empty and meaningless. He created you to have fellowship with Him and be fulfilled in that relationship. Your life has great value to Him. He wants you to understand that value. But if you waste your life chasing things of lesser value than godliness, even good things, your life won’t be as fulfilling as it could be with godliness as your top priority.
Many have the misconception that if you live a godly life you will miss out on a lot of good things. Nothing could be further from the truth. Godliness enhances the value of our lives.
GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS.
Say that together with me. GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS.
We can prove that statement by taking a quick glance at every time the word GODLINESS is used by Paul in his letters to pastors.
This word is found 15 times in the New Testament and 11 of those times it is used in the pastoral letters! It shouldn’t be so surprising since Paul makes GODLINESS the core of one of his trustworthy truths in the pastoral letters. (In fact, it is one of the major themes of 1st Timothy.)
HOW GODLINESS ENHANCES LIFE’S VALUE:
1. Godliness promotes a peaceful lifestyle. (1 Tim. 2:2)
The Bible tells us to pray for all men, specifically for kings and others in authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all GODLINESS and honesty."
Peacefulness is associated with godliness. Turmoil, unrest, crime, terrorism, etc., all stem from ungodliness.
2. Godliness promotes the true value of femininity. (1 Tim. 2:10)
Women don’t have to win beauty contests or be fashion models to be loved and appreciated. Far too much emphasis is placed on outward beauty in many circles. So much so that the qualities that really matter are often overlooked.
God’s Word says "good works" should be the attractive adornment of a woman of godliness, not how much makeup, jewelry or revealing clothing she wears.
This scripture verse elevates the value of womanhood.
3. Godliness gives clarity in uncertain times. (1 Tim. 3:16)
The Bible says here "great is the mystery of godliness", but it describes that Jesus modeled it.
It’s not always easy to live godly lives but we can simplify the decisions we make by following Christ’s example.
4. Godliness leads to contentment. (1 Timothy 6:3-11)
If your goal is the be the richest, smartest, most beautiful, or most popular person you will never be happy. Because you will always be competing with others for those goals.
If your goal is godliness however, that is obtainble.
False teachers presume that "gain is godliness". (1 Tim. 6:5) But God’s Word says, "Godliness with contenment is great gain!" (1 Timothy 6:6)
5. Godliness touches the inner you. (2 Tim. 3:5)
We are warned not to follow those "having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof."
It is possible to put on an outward show but true godliness affects the real you.
6. Godliness will forever be associated with the truth. (Titus 1:1)
Lies and hypocrisy occur when we don’t practice truth. In Paul’s greeting to Titus he says the truth is "after godliness."
When you follow God’s truth you will be godly. When you are godly you will follow God’s truth.
GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS.
