Glorification in Contentment

“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” (1Timothy 6:6 ESV)

Paul is just wonderful in his writings. If you read our blog often, you know that one of the principles I believe in is that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied with Him. Thank you, John Piper. 1 Timothy 6 is one of the pieces of scripture that reveals that idea to us.

Our existence in this world is a testament to God's will. We enter this world with nothing, and it is through His divine providence, manifested in our parents and relatives, that we are blessed with everything we need. When we leave this world, we go with nothing but the things we have done in our lives, the good and evil, which we must answer for when we stand transparent before our God.

Our faith in Christ not only brings about our contentment in this world but also assures us that God ensures we have all we need, not all we desire. When we find contentment in the Lord, He is most glorified by us. Others often view our contentment as happiness. Our happiness in this world is similarly seen as a curiosity. How can we be so happy in such a fallen world? The answer is Christ. It is the gospel we use to explain our happiness to others. A chance for the elect who still are in darkness to see the light. It is the emotion God uses to reach others through us.

If we are miserable and fail to see the blessings of God around us every day, we repel others. No one wants to be around a miserable person. We are useless to God, and he is denied the glory he so deserves from his creation.

I am not saying we do not strive for more to better ourselves from where we stand. I am saying that we should do what we do for the glory of God alone. Where we can be a mouthpiece for God, and we should. When we strive to do everything with the sole purpose of God, we will be blessed, not with new cars, money, or celebrity status, but with the approval of God. This approval, the only thing we can hope to bring with us when He brings us home, far outweighs any material possessions.

Many are caught in the trap of 'He who dies with the most toys wins.' But what do they truly win? What have they done for the Lord? Where is their faith? Do they even believe? The pursuit of more, when it stems from a heart devoid of the Lord, is a hollow endeavor.

Where is your heart? Are you content with the Lord? Do you do everything for His glory? As Paul said, test yourself. Where are you in your faith? This self-reflection is crucial for our spiritual growth and can motivate us to align our actions with God's will.

Grace and Peace!