Nothing in – nothing out

…useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. - 1 Timothy 6v5-7

There were some in Paul’s day indeed there are some today, who actually try to believe that godliness is a way of personal gain. They measure godliness by material and financial benefits. They say that blessings in the way of stuff are proof that God is blessing.

Paul turns that on its heels. ‘Godliness with contentment is the true great gain. After all when you were born you had nothing and when you die you can’t take anything with you.’

The problem is that many Christians are so focused on the here and now that they want all they can get while they are here. They don’t really care if they can’t take it with them as long as they have it now.

The problem with that is that too often our service is not motivated my true godliness, but by the ‘stuff’ we want. We act because we are not content. The great gain is the ability to have true godliness with contentment. They can’t go hand is hand, because if we are not content, then we really are not trusting the God who gave us what we have.