1 Timothy 6:6 - Meaning and Application

From the abuse some made of religion, using it to get worldly advantage, the apostle takes the chance to show the value of contentment and the evil of greed. He first speaks of the excellence of contentment, in 1 Timothy 6:6-8. Some people think Christianity is a profitable way to get ahead in this world. If they mean that as a trade for selfish gain, it is false. But Christianity is indeed the best calling in the world, though it is the worst trade if someone uses it only for this life.

Those who try to use religion for their own advantage will be disappointed and find it a poor business. But those who treat it as their calling and devote themselves to it will find it truly rewarding, because it has promise for this life and the life to come. The apostle’s main point is this: godliness with contentment is great gain. Some understand this as godliness with a sufficient portion, meaning that if a person has only a little in this world, but enough to live on, he needs nothing more. Even a small amount belonging to a righteous person is better than the wealth of many wicked people (Psalm 37:16).

We usually read it as godliness with contentment. Godliness itself is great gain, because it is useful in every way. And where there is true godliness, there will be contentment too. Still, those who have reached the highest level of contentment through their godliness are certainly the most peaceful and happy people in this world. Christian contentment, that is, contentment that grows out of godly principles, is great gain. It is all the wealth a person truly needs.

A godly person is sure to be happy in the next world. If he also learns contentment in this world, then he has enough now as well. This is a Christian’s true gain, and it is great gain, unlike the small gains worldlings chase after so eagerly. True godliness is always joined with some measure of contentment. All truly godly people have learned, with Paul, to be content in whatever situation they are in (Philippians 4:11). They are content with what God gives them, because they know it is best for them. So let us all aim for godliness with contentment.

The apostle then gives the reason: we brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:7). This is a strong reason to be content with little. We cannot claim anything as something owed to us, because we entered the world with nothing. Whatever we have had since then has come from God’s care. The One who gives may take away whatever He chooses, and whenever He chooses. We did receive our being, our bodies, and our lives, even though we came naked and brought nothing with us. So should we not be content while those gifts are still with us, even if we do not have everything we want?

We came into the world with nothing, yet God still provided for us. We have been cared for and fed all our lives until now. So when we are reduced to great need, we cannot be poorer than when we first came into the world, and yet even then we were provided for. Therefore, let us trust God for the rest of our journey through life. And since we shall carry nothing out of this world, why should we crave so much? A shroud, a coffin, and a grave are all the richest person can take from his wealth. So why should we not be content with a little, since however much we have, we must leave it all behind us (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16)?

From this he draws the conclusion: if we have food and clothing, let us be content with that (1 Timothy 6:8). This includes food and a covering, and also a place to live. If God gives us the necessary supports of life, we ought to be content, even if we do not have life’s decorations and pleasures. If nature should be satisfied with little, grace should be satisfied with even less. Even if we do not have rich food or costly clothing, if we have what is suitable for us, we should be content.

This was Agur’s prayer: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me” (Proverbs 30:8). Here we see the folly of putting our happiness in these things. We brought nothing into the world, and we can carry nothing out. What will worldlings do when death strips them of all they thought made life good, and they must say farewell forever to the things they loved so much? They may say, like poor Micah, “You have taken away my gods; and what have I left?” (Judges 18:24). The simple necessities of life are the limit of a true Christian’s desire, and he will try to be content with them. His desires are not endless. A little, a few comforts of this life, will satisfy him, and he can hope to enjoy even that.

The apostle next shows the evil of greed. Those who want to be rich, meaning those who set their hearts on the wealth of this world and are determined to have it by any means, fall into temptation and a trap (1 Timothy 6:9). He does not say those who are rich, but those who want to be rich. These are the people who place their happiness in worldly wealth, crave it too much, and pursue it with eagerness and force. Such people fall into temptation and a trap almost certainly, because once the devil sees which direction their desires run, he quickly prepares the bait. He knew how eager Achan, an Israelite who stole forbidden treasure, would be for a wedge of gold, and he set that before him.

They also fall into many foolish and harmful desires. These desires are foolish, so we should be ashamed of them. They are harmful, so we should be afraid of them, especially since they lead people into ruin and destruction. The apostle also says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). What sins will not people be drawn into by loving money? This was especially at the bottom of many people’s falling away from the faith of Christ. While they were eager to get money, they wandered away from the faith, gave up their Christianity, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Money itself is not the root of evil, but the love of money is. People may have money without loving it. But if they love it too much, it will push them toward every kind of evil. Greedy people will give up the faith if that seems to be the way to get money. As the apostle says, while some coveted after it, they have erred from the faith.

Demas has deserted me because he loved this present world more than Christ (2 Timothy 4:10). The world was dearer to him than Christianity. Those who stray from the faith bring many sorrows on themselves. When people turn from God, they only store up trouble for later.

Paul uses that example to warn Timothy and urge him to stay in God’s way and do his duty as a minister. He speaks to him as a man of God. Ministers are men set apart for God, and they should live that way in everything. The Old Testament prophets were also called men of God.

Paul first tells Timothy to guard against loving money, since it has harmed so many people. “Flee these things.” It does not suit anyone, especially a man of God, to set his heart on worldly things. Men of God should be absorbed with the things of God.

To protect Timothy from the love of the world, Paul tells him to pursue what is good. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.” Righteousness shapes his conduct toward people, and godliness shapes his heart toward God. Faith and love are the living powers that help him continue in both righteousness and godliness.

Those who pursue righteousness and godliness from faith and love also need patience and gentleness. Patience helps them bear both God’s discipline and people’s insults. Gentleness helps them teach those who argue against the truth and overlook offenses and injuries done to them. It is not enough for men of God to flee evil. They must also chase after what is its opposite.

Paul adds that such men are truly excellent people. They are the best people on earth, and since they are pleasing to God, they ought to be respected by people as well.

Then Paul uses the image of a soldier: “Fight the good fight of faith.” Those who will reach heaven must fight their way there. They must struggle against sin, temptation, and the powers of darkness. It is a good fight because it is a good cause, and it will end well. It is the fight of faith, not a worldly struggle, because “the weapons of our warfare are not worldly” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

He also tells Timothy to “take hold of eternal life.” Eternal life is the crown held out to us, and that should encourage us to keep fighting the good fight of faith. We must hold on to it as people afraid of missing it or losing it. Hold fast what you have, so no one takes your crown (Revelation 3:11). We are called both to fight and to take hold of eternal life.

The good confession Timothy made before many witnesses is a serious and honorable one. By that confession, he declared that he would fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life. His calling, and his own public profession, both bind him to this duty.