It is mind-boggling that a church our size gives like we do to missions. I am convinced that your faithful support to those God is sending out is directly connected to our stability in our community. So this morning, even while you are sipping your coffee, you can continue that faithful giving. Just mark your designation accordingly.

I have heard many people say they won’t go to church because “ they talk about money too much.” Maybe you’ve heard it, too. Often, people don’t want to go or give to a church because they feel that money is either misused or just stored up for the leaders.

Paul argues against some of the false teachers who were not merely wrong in content but looked at ministering as something to gain from financially. One of the points of hypocrisy often pointed out is the materialism that is so rampant in corners of the church.

Biblical Contentment
This sort of contentment is based on understanding that all you will ever need is found in Christ Jesus.

Matthew Henry Commentary
The excellency of contentment, 1 Tim. 6:6-8. Some account Christianity an advantageous profession for this world. In the sense they mean this is false; yet it is undoubtedly true that, though Christianity is the worst trade, it is the best calling in the world. Those that make a trade of it, merely to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed, and find it a sorry trade; but those that mind it as their calling, and make a business of it, will find it a gainful calling, for it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+timothy+6&version=NLT

We do need to be careful to understand what Paul is telling Timothy. In no way is he advocating a life of self-sufficiency.

Another commentary on the book of Timothy says, “Paul commended the benefits of godliness with contentment in v.6 (see Ps 37:3–5). The word “contentment” (autarkeia) was a great word in Stoicism, expressing the essence of the Stoic ideal, which was to be independent of external circumstances. Paul Christianized the term, using it to refer to an attitude of mind independent of externals and dependent only on God. He was not advocating godless self-sufficiency as a source of contentment. Paul believed that true sufficiency is Christ-sufficiency (Phil 4:13)” (T. D. Lea and H. P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, The New American Commentary 34 [Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992], 167–68).

Proper Attitude
So to have contentment, as Paul is explaining, is to rely on nothing other than Jesus…not self, not anything, only Jesus. When we reach this place of understanding we can approach with the right attitude of being at peace with having and being enough.

Paul’s goal was to help people come to the place where they are okay with having just what they need.

It doesn’t matter how much wealth you have or how much stuff you own. Those things are not eternal. They won’t last and you can’t take them with you in the end.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary
“Paul contrasted the proper attitude of contentment with its opposites: The craving to get rich and the love of money, two sides of the same coin. The history of the human race, and perhaps especially that of modern Western societies, cries out in support of Paul’s point. The grasping after riches leads to: (1) temptation, (2) a trap, and (3) many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. Though not an end in itself, greed is actually a root of all kinds of evil. It is a crucial chink through which other vices gain access. To illustrate his point Paul referred indirectly to some people, undoubtedly known to Timothy, who had fallen into the trap Paul was discussing” (A. D. Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck [Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985], 2:746, Logos).


Our attitudes towards contentment have to shift from an attitude of greed to one that is rooted in knowing and believing that God sees us, knows us and is ready to provide for our needs and then that we live that out by being gracious, thankful and generous people.

Greed to Gratefulness

Paul is emphasizing the all-sufficient Jesus as the source of contentment that our lives truly crave. This is akin to when God speaks through Jeremiah in 2:13

Greed to Gratefulness

Paul is emphasizing the all-sufficient Jesus as the source of contentment that our lives truly crave.

Now, for the rest of us. Let’s be people who are known for our kindness and generosity. Let’s not look at what we can have but how we can love and help those around us. Evaluate your finances! I have heard it said that if you want to know what you love you simply need to look at your bank account. Where is most of your money going? But as mentioned before, it’s more than just that. Where or who is your source? Is it here on earth or is your source Jesus Christ? I urge you to spend some time today asking God to search your heart and show you where you may need to make some changes.

Shifting from a place of greed to that of gratefulness comes from recognizing that everything we have belongs to the Lord.

Now, for the rest of us. Let’s be people who are known for our kindness and generosity. Let’s not look at what we can have but how we can love and help those around us. Evaluate your finances! I have heard it said that if you want to know what you love you simply need to look at your bank account. Where is most of your money going? But as mentioned before, it’s more than just that. Where or who is your source? Is it here on earth or is your source Jesus Christ? I urge you to spend some time today asking God to search your heart and show you where you may need to make some changes.

If the world is going to see Jesus Christ on display it will be because of those who gather faithfully and grow intentionally.

If we hold too tightly to possessions for our place in this world we are missing God’s heart. Instead, we must entrust our wealth, our resources, to God so that they can be used for HIS purposes—particularly the advancement of Christ’s kingdom and cause here on earth.

Here are some ways we can respond to this message.
If you have not turned to Christ because you think all the church cares about is money and making pastors rich, let me tell you right now my friend that while there may be the rare occasions that a man or woman who claim to be of God are padding their own pockets, that really is few and far between. And as I have said the last few weeks, I am sorry for those examples. They are not accurate representations of truly godly people who are just trying to love God and love people well.

Give your heart to Him today and watch what He’ll do for you and in you and through you.

If you are ready to make that decision, you can pray this prayer along with me.
Dear Jesus,
I know I am a sinner.
I need You to make me clean.
Come into my life
and purify my heart.
I surrender to You
and will follow You
all the days of my life