I am testing different font sizes. If this comes through larger, praise God. If not, please forgive me.
Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with sufficiency is great gain. In an elegant manner, and with an ironical correction, he instantly throws back those very words in an opposite meaning, as if he had said — “They do wrong and wickedly, who make merchandise of the doctrine of Christ, as if ‘godliness were gain;’ though, undoubtedly, if we form a correct estimate of it, godliness is a great and abundant gain.”
And he so calls it, because it brings to us full and perfect blessedness. Those men, therefore, are guilty of sacrilege, who, being bent on acquiring money, make godliness contribute to their gain. But for our part, godliness is a very great gain to us, because, by means of it, we obtain the benefit, not only of being heirs of the world, but likewise of enjoying Christ and all His riches.
With sufficiency. This may refer either to the disposition of the heart, or to the thing itself. If it be understood as referring to the heart, the meaning will be, that “godly persons, when they desire nothing, but are satisfied with their humble condition, have obtained very great gain.” If we understand it to be “sufficiency of wealth” (and, for my own part, I like this view quite as well as the other,) it will be a promise, like that in the book of Psalms.
“The lions wander about hungry and famished; but they that seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing” (Psalm 34:10). The Lord is always present with His people, and, as far as is sufficient for their necessity out of His fullness He bestows on each His portion. Thus true happiness consists in piety; and this sufficiency may be regarded as an increase of gain.”
John Calvin in Commentary on Timothy, Titus, Philemon (CCEL) 126-127.
In Christ we have sufficiency. In plain terms, that means all we have ever needed, all we ever need now, and all we will ever need in the future.
Those who serve him for gain not only don’t get it. They are guilty of sacrilege rather than sufficiency. They think the gifts of God sustain them rather than God.
Has this thinking creeped into your heart. It can happen to any of us. Today’s post aims to get you thinking, just like the speakers I will hear at the Evangelical Theological Society conference today in Boston.
God help us think and act Christianly not culturally so our service demonstrates your sufficiency rather than sacrilege. Show us by your Spirit where we need to make changes I ask in Jesus name. Amen.