The Great Gain of Godliness

Text: 1 Timothy 6:3-10

There are many investments that one can make (stocks, real estate, collectibles, cryptocurrency, etc.). All of these have to do with financial growth and security in this life. Yet there are certain investments we are to make that are spiritual in nature, and these are most important. In this series, we are going to discuss some of these investments we are to make. In this fourth lesson, we are going to talk about the great gain of godliness.

The “Health and Wealth Gospel”

Paul warned of those who preach “a different doctrine” that “does not agree with sound words” (1 Timothy 6:3) – Jesus brought the truth (John 18:37); any different message is false (1 John 4:6); false teachers are conceited, understand nothing, and cause division (1 Timothy 6:4-5)
The specific false doctrine that Paul addressed was that “godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:5) – the context indicates this is material gain (i.e. the “health and wealth gospel”); the NT does not promise a better life here for being a Christian (Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12)
Some Christians will be prosperous (1 Timothy 6:17) – but this is not the promise of the gospel

The Gain of Godliness

There is no promise of material wealth as a reward for godliness, but there is something to be gained – it pertains to the “life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8); without this hope, we would be “of all men most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19)
What do we stand to gain? – a home in heaven (John 14:2-3); eternal life (Matthew 19:29; 25:46); a place in the presence of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

What Is Godliness?

We do not want to have a mere “form of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:5) – we need real godliness; godliness is a reverence and respect for God
This leads us to become LIKE God – we learn how by looking to Jesus (John 1:18; 1 Peter 2:21-22)
This motivates us to live according to God’s standard (Ecclesiastes 12:13) – this is revealed in His word (2 Peter 1:3)

The Need for Contentment

Godliness is a means of gain IF it is accompanied by contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) – material things are only temporary; they are uncertain (1 Timothy 6:17) and will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10); we must be content no matter what we have in this life (Philippians 4:12)
So we must guard against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:9-10) – we can be poor and be guilty of this; covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5); if we are rich, we must put our trust in God and not our riches (1 Timothy 6:17)

Conclusion