The Apostle Paul’s declaration in 1 Timothy 6:6—”But godliness with contentment is great gain”—is striking and counter-cultural, both in his time and ours. In a world obsessively pursuing material wealth and temporal satisfaction, Paul presents a radically different perspective on what constitutes true prosperity. This spiritual equation, linking godliness with contentment, offers deep insights into the Christian life and the path to genuine fulfillment.

First, What’s Biblical Godliness?

At its core, godliness (eusebeia in Greek) encompasses far more than mere observance of religious rituals. In Reformed theology, godliness represents a God-centred life orientation—a deep reverence for and commitment to living in accordance with God’s character and will. This differs markedly from moralism or external piety; and, it flows from a heart transformed by divine grace.

Godliness manifests as a fruit of genuine sanctification. As the Holy Spirit progressively conforms believers to Christ’s image, godliness begins to emerge through the faithful use of God’s appointed means of grace: the Word, prayer, and the sacraments. This transformation touches every aspect of life—our thoughts, affections, relationships, and daily decisions.

Next, What’s Biblical Contentment?

Biblical contentment differs fundamentally from stoic resignation or secular minimalism. It’s not about lowering expectations or suppressing desires. Rather, it’s a profound satisfaction in God Himself, rooted in the recognition of His all-sufficient grace and sovereign providence.

Consider Paul’s testimony in Philippians 4:11-12: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.” This contentment wasn’t natural to Paul; it was learned through his experience of God’s faithfulness in every circumstance.

Their Inseparable Connection

Paul deliberately joins godliness and contentment because they mutually reinforce each other. True godliness naturally produces contentment as we grow in our understanding of God’s character and promises. Simultaneously, genuine contentment evidences authentic godliness, demonstrating trust in God’s sovereign goodness.

This spiritual synergy creates a virtuous cycle: as we grow in godliness, our contentment deepens; as our contentment increases, it fuels further pursuit of godliness. Both qualities point to the sufficiency of Christ and the transforming power of the gospel.

What Makes This Marriage “Great Gain”?

The “great gain” Paul speaks of manifests in both spiritual and practical dimensions. Spiritually, the combination of godliness and contentment produces a peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:7), freeing believers from the anxiety that plagues those seeking security in temporal things. It generates a joy that is independent of circumstances, and anchored in the unchanging character of God.

Practically, this spiritual reality liberates us from materialism’s endless demands. As Calvin notes, “Godliness with contentment is the greatest wealth because the godly person, satisfied with their lot and committed to God’s glory, possesses everything in possessing Christ.”

Cultivating Godliness with Contentment

The cultivation of these virtues requires deliberate attention to God’s appointed means. Regular immersion in Scripture shapes our understanding of God’s character and promises. Prayer aligns our hearts with His purposes. The fellowship of believers provides encouragement and accountability in this pursuit.

The spiritual disciplines—meditation, fasting, study—serve not as merit-earning exercises but as channels through which God’s grace flows to strengthen our faith and deepen our satisfaction in Him. Understanding God’s providence in all circumstances helps us rest in His wise governance of our lives.

Application in Different Life Situations

This truth applies universally yet manifests uniquely across different circumstances.

• In prosperity, it guards against pride and self-reliance, reminding us every good gift comes from above (James 1:17).
• In poverty, it assures us of God’s faithful provision and the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
• In suffering, this combination provides stability and hope, anchoring us in God’s sovereign purposes.
• In success, it keeps us humble and dependent. In failure, it reminds us that our ultimate worth and security lie not in our performance but in our position in Christ.

The Eternal Perspective

Understanding godliness with contentment as great gain requires an eternal perspective. As Matthew 6:19-21 teaches, we’re called to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This combination of virtues orients our hearts toward eternal realities, helping us evaluate everything in light of eternity.

The temporal nature of earthly gain stands in stark contrast to the lasting value of spiritual wealth. As Puritan Richard Baxter observed, “What we cannot take with us to eternity is not true riches.”

Conclusion

Paul’s assertion that godliness with contentment is great gain reveals a profound spiritual truth: true prosperity lies not in accumulated wealth or achieved status but in knowing and delighting in God. This combination produces a rich harvest of spiritual fruit that neither moth nor rust can destroy.

As we pursue this truth, may we examine our hearts and take practical steps toward growing in both godliness and contentment. Let us pray for grace to increasingly find our satisfaction in Christ alone, remembering that in Him we possess all things necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

To grow in these graces, may we consider:

• Regular meditation on God’s character and promises
• Practicing gratitude in all circumstances
• Serving others as a reminder of Christ’s sufficiency
• Cultivating eternal perspectives through regular reflection on heavenly realities

In a world ceaselessly pursuing more, may we find our “great gain” in growing conformity to Christ and deepening satisfaction in His all-sufficient grace.

 

Godliness with Contentment—Related FAQs

How can I be content when others around me seem to have so much more? Comparison is a thief of joy and a manifestation of unbelief in God’s sovereign goodness in our specific situation. Remember God’s distribution of temporal blessings is according to His perfect wisdom, and our circumstances are precisely designed for our spiritual good and His glory. The solution lies not in having what others have, but in finding our satisfaction in Christ, who has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).

• Doesn’t the pursuit of contentment lead to complacency in life? Biblical contentment is fundamentally different from passive resignation or lack of ambition. True contentment empowers faithful stewardship and diligent work because it frees us from the anxiety and restlessness that often drive worldly ambition. When we’re content in Christ, we can pursue excellence and growth from a place of peace rather than desperate striving.
• Why do I still struggle with wanting more even though I believe in God’s sovereignty? The tension between intellectual belief and heart-level trust is a common struggle in the Christian life, reflecting the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit. Our hearts require ongoing renewal through the means of grace to bring our emotional responses in line with our theological convictions. Remember, even Paul had to “learn” contentment—it’s a gradual process of sanctification.

How do I reconcile contentment with the biblical call to provide for my family? Biblical contentment doesn’t negate responsible provision; rather, it purifies our motives and moderates our methods. The issue isn’t whether we work to provide, but whether our hearts are at peace with God’s provision through our work. Contentment actually enables more faithful provision by freeing us from both anxiety and greed.

• What’s wrong with wanting to improve my situation if I’m struggling financially? There’s nothing inherently wrong with desiring to improve difficult circumstances—the the issue is whether this desire masters us and whether we believe our joy depends on this improvement. Biblical contentment means we can work toward improvement while simultaneously resting in God’s current provision, knowing that He is sovereign over both our present and our future.
• How can I be godly and content when I see injustice or suffering around me? Being content in God doesn’t mean being complacent about injustice or indifferent to suffering. Biblical contentment actually empowers more effective engagement with suffering because we act from a place of trust in God’s sovereignty rather than anxiety or anger. Our contentment in Christ should fuel, not hinder, our pursuit of justice and mercy in the world.

How do I deal with the constant pressure from media and society to acquire more? The key is to consciously develop an eternal perspective through regular meditation on Scripture and fellowship with believers who share these values. Practical steps include limiting exposure to advertising, practicing gratitude, and regularly reminding ourselves of our complete inheritance in Christ. Consider periodically “fasting” from social media and consumer culture to reorient our hearts toward eternal values.

• How does the prosperity gospel distort the biblical teaching about contentment and gain? The prosperity gospel fundamentally corrupts the message of 1 Timothy 6:6 by equating godliness with material prosperity and suggesting that faith is a means to temporal wealth. This teaching dangerously reverses Paul’s logic—instead of finding contentment in godliness, it makes godliness contingent on material “blessings” and turns faith into a transaction. Not only does this contradict clear biblical teaching about suffering and sacrifice in the Christian life, but it also overlooks how many godly biblical figures and Christians throughout history have lived in material poverty while being spiritually rich.
• If the prosperity gospel is wrong, why does God sometimes bless people materially? Material blessings are indeed from God, but they’re given according to His sovereign wisdom rather than as automatic rewards for faith or “positive confession.” Scripture teaches us God may grant or withhold temporal prosperity for various purposes—to enable generosity, to test our hearts, to humble us, or to glorify Himself in ways we may not understand. The key is recognising material blessings aren’t indicators of spiritual status or God’s approval, but rather stewardship responsibilities.

How can I recognise practical materialism in my own Christian life? Practical materialism often creeps in subtly through “baptised” versions of worldly priorities—as in choosing a church based primarily on its facilities, measuring ministry success by buildings and budgets, or allowing lifestyle choices to prevent generous giving. Look for signs like anxiety over financial decisions that don’t affect basic needs, reluctance to sacrifice comfort for kingdom purposes, or finding more joy in new purchases than in spiritual growth. The key question isn’t whether we possess things, but whether things possess us.

 

Godliness with Contentment—Our Related Posts

• Christian Contentment: Discover True Joy in a ‘Never Enough’ World
• The Joy of the Lord: Pursued by Many, Possessed by Few