Contentment

1 Timothy 6:6-8 KJVS
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

In our lifetimes we can be blessed by our Heavenly Father with the physical blessings He bestows upon us. Having food and raiment let us therewith be content. Bullinger here in verse 8 in the Companions Bible on page 1807 states that raiment is a covering and could also mean shelter. 

Our Heavenly Father provides for those who diligently seek Him.

Let’s jump over to Matthew Chapter 6.

Matthew 6:19-21 KJVS
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The treasures upon earth that many seek instead of diligently seeking our Heavenly Father will only get you so far. It is the true treasure that is from heaven (our Heavenly Fathers Words) that are or can be within our hearts. The true treasure that will never fail and also strengthens us and helps us endure. 

Matthew 6:22-23 KJVS
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Jesus Christ is the light, He is the Word of God as it states in John Chapter 1, and He is the light that is within us that shines in the darkness and the darkness comprehends it not (John Chapter 1 verses 1 through 5 and verse 14).

Matthew 6:24 KJVS
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Who and what do we serve, God or mammon?

From God is the manna which is the bread from heaven, and the mammon is the unrighteous gains that this world has to offer, which moth and rust corrupt and thieves break through and steal.

Matthew 6:25-26 KJVS
“Therefore, I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

Are you not much better than they? Consider and be content in what Christ just told you here, also consider what our Heavenly Father did for the Israelites in the wilderness back in the book of Deuteronomy. 

Deuteronomy 29:1-9 KJVS
“These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. [2] And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; [3] The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: [4] Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. [5] And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. [6] Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God. [7] And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them: [8] And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh. [9] Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.”

Consider that God takes care of His own, if you are seeking Him. Consider and be content.

Keeping with Matthew Chapter 6.

Matthew 6:27-29 KJVS
“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Here in Matthew Chapter 6, Jesus Christ is asking us to consider the lilies of the field, and He directs us to look at Solomon who is written about in 1st Kings. 

Let’s go to 1st Kings Chapter 3.

1 Kings 3:3-14 KJVS
“And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. [4] And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. [5] In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. [6] And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. [7] And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. [8] And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; [12] Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. [13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [14] And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”

Solomon sought the Lord, and asked for an understanding heart to judge Israel, and to be able to discern between good and bad.  Solomon sought after our Lord and the Lord blessed him abundantly. See the connecting thread here? 

Be content.

Continuing in Matthew Chapter 6.

Matthew 6:30-32 KJVS
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

Take no thought, which means ” don’t worry “.

Many of us in our lifetimes have worried or are concerned in what tomorrow will bring, but Jesus Christ here instructs us to not worry.

Jesus says take no thought what we shall eat, and what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed. If we are to consider Israel and Solomon as an individual, we see in these two examples that if you stay close to our Heavenly Father through His Word, and desire to serve Him, and be used for His Heavenly Kingdom, you will receive what you need.

After making these promises to you in Matthew Chapter 6, look what Jesus says in the next verse.

Matthew 6:33 KJVS
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Yes indeed, we seek the Kingdom, and His righteousness by diligently seeking our Heavenly Father through His Word, , and by desiring to serve Him through His only begotten. 

Seek to learn, and seek to serve, and what you need to do so will be added unto you.

Let’s go back to where we began this study, 1st Timothy Chapter 6.

1 Timothy 6:9 KJVS
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

Now we are not only looking at physical riches which are mammon of unrighteousness that this world has to offer we are also looking at the mammon of unrighteousness which is the worldly understanding that can and will lead many into Satan’s arms which is their spiritual death at the Woe of the Sixth Trumpet.

Many will fall into Satan’s temptation which is his riches and die spiritually at the Sixth Trumpet, and for some ultimately their destruction and perdition if they refuse to escape unrighteousness before this second world age ends at the ending of the Seventh Trumpet.

1 Timothy 6:10 KJVS
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

For the love of money is the root of all evil. As we seen in Matthew Chapter 6 verse 21, Jesus said ” for where your treasure is there will be your heart also”

Indeed, we know that the love of worldly gain can prevent many individuals from seeking true wealth which is from heaven, and even much as to care to seek our Lords words.

Along with the physical riches, we also have defiled riches which are the false balances of deceit that are distributed throughout the world through Satan’s natural branches, his children who are the Kenites. The Kenites especially in this final generation in which we are living in now are using the four horns (four hidden dynasties) of their father to scatter many Christians away from our Heavenly Father through the seeds of deception, which is the wealth of misinformation that this vile seed sow.

The love of money here in 1st Timothy Chapter 6 runs parallel to 2nd Timothy Chapter 3 verses 1 through 5.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJVS
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

We see this in regard to the last days which will be perilous times during the five-month long hour of temptation, especially in the middle of that five-month when the Sixth Angel sounds. Again, it will be in the middle of the five- month period when the third who are Christians spiritually whore after Satan when he appears in Jerusalem claiming to be Christ.

Back to 1st Timothy Chapter 6.

1 Timothy 6:11-16 KJVS
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. [12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. [13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; [14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: [15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; [16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

Fight the good fight of faith and be content in what you receive and hold fast to the Eternal Promise that has been given to you through the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:17 KJVS
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”

And these richly things that He gives to us is His Word that is from Heaven, which is much wealthier than the riches and gains that we can receive from this world.

1 Timothy 6:18 KJVS
“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;”

This is the raiment that we earn in heaven which come from our righteous acts, 
our fine white linen (Revelation Chapter 19 verses 7 through 9). Rich in good works by taking what is given to us to distribute to others, you see? 

1 Timothy 6:19 KJVS
“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

This foundation of course is Jesus Christ (1st Corinthians Chapter 3 verse 9 through 15), and He is the Word of God, and this foundation is and can be laid within you and is against the perilous times to come that are within the last days. 

In this study we focused on the word contentment, which in 1st Timothy Chapter 6 verse 8, Paul states ” and having food and raiment let us therefore be content.” I believe on another level this food is the Bread of Life which is the Word of God, Jesus Christ, and this raiment is our fine white linen we earn in the good works that we do for our Heavenly Fathers Kingdom. 

In conclusion let’s take a look at what else Paul teaches upon Contentment in Philippians Chapter 4.

Philippians 4:11 KJVS
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Paul spoke in respect of want, which means being destitute. As Paul learned, we shall also learn that whatever state we are in, we should be content. 

In the Companions Bibe on page 1779 in the notes section on verse 11, Bullinger directs us back to 1st Timothy Chapter 6 verse 6 for the word content.

1 Timothy 6:6 KJVS
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

We see here on page 1806 in the Companions Bibe the word contentment is also linked to 2nd Corinthians Chapter 9 verse 8.

2 Corinthians 9:8 KJVS
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

Through God’s grace that is abounded towards us we may have all sufficiency in all things so we may abound to every good work. 

Do you see the spiritual food and raiment here?

Contentment means sufficiently here and we as servants through God’s grace receive what is sufficient to carry on His work, no matter how big or how small a task may seem.  It’s all for His Kingdom. 

We see in the book of Proverbs what we should ask for.

Proverbs 30:7-9 KJVS
“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: [8] Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: [9] Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord ? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

This food that is convenient which means apointed,  is the daily Bread that we recieve by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. That is Bread (His Word) that is convenient, sufficient, and gives us contentment in knowing we are being used by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul continues in Phillipians Chapter 4.

Philippians 4:12 KJVS
“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Paul knew how to be abased if we are to look at Acts Chapter 9, and Paul knew how to be abound because from that point he was used to write most of the New Testament 

What Paul received was what God knew he needed through Jesus Christ who opened his eyes. Paul knew how to go forth and serve as a chosen vessel and to abound in Jesus Christ ministry. 

Remember Jesus Christ pointed out in Matthew Chapter 6, our Heavenly Father knows what you have need of.

Last verse for this study. 

Philippians 4:13 KJVS
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Need we say more,  be content.

The End.