1 Timothy 6:6-8 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, nor are we able to take anything out of it. 8But having food and covering, with these we will be content.
The response to the false teachers pride is contentment. They tried to find purpose in their opinions, thinking that godliness would be a way to gain honor, influence, and wealth. Paul flips that thinking over and shows that great gain comes through genuine godliness. Contentment (autarkeia) has the sense of being self-sufficient and having all that one needs. The false teachers attempted to find contentment like the rest of the world by elevating the self. Paul defines contentment from a Christian perspective in these verses.
Verse 7 is a simple proverbial truth that echoes Job 1:21: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave.” We are born with only our skin on. Everything we gain in this life is part of the life of this age and not the age to come. Ecclesiastes gives a sober reminder that everything we gain in this life is only vanity or a mist that eventually evaporates. Since this is the case, why put so much emphasis on gaining things? The biggest reason is that we are fooled into thinking too highly of our fleshly existence. Deceit pulls our focus away from God and eternal matters to things of this age. God blesses us with many wonderful things in this life to help us survive and even make it pleasant and enjoyable. The problem is that we are tempted to turn these things into idols that replace God. The false teachers were in danger of this form of idolatry.
We can be content with just the basics needed to survive: food and clothing. Jesus promised that God will provide these to those who seek first his kingdom (Matthew 6:25-34). It is difficult for people in modern cultures with developed economies to imagine only having food and clothes and not nice houses, cars, and cell phones. In an agricultural setting, the needs are simple. Modernity has blinded us to the simple things we need and tempted us to crowd our lives with so much stuff that we miss God. Contentment is a decision that requires commitment to One who gives life.
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