The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 6 (3)

Pray Psalm 140.12, 13.
I know that the LORD will maintain
The cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence.

Read and meditate on 1 Timothy 6.6-10.

Reflect.
1. What is contentment? How does one learn to be content?

2. Against what does contentment protect us? How? 

Meditate.
I remember a television commercial that used to boast that its milk came from “contented cows”. The accompanying image was of lovely Daisy, lolling in the grass, chewing her cud, without a care in the world.

I’m not sure that’s the picture Paul has in mind. While contentment does include an overall sense of peace and wellbeing, it’s actually more than that. Contentment is the best defense against covetousness, which is the gateway to all sin. So as we’re working to increase in godliness – Christlikeness – let us learn contentment. How do we do that?

First, bear in mind that we don’t deserve any good thing in this life (v. 7). We are nothings. Wretches. Prone-to-wander sinners who deserve only wrath. So whatever we have or enjoy in this life is all by the grace of God. 

Second, therefore, give thanks. When you give thanks in everything – every situation, hardship, loss, victory, or whatever – the peace of God wells up in your soul from the indwelling Spirit of peace (Phil. 4.6, 7). 

Third, know your covetous propensities. For some, it’s recognition. For others, things or wealth. For others, the lusts of the flesh. Know where you are most susceptible to being drawn away; and get your defenses up against every temptation, so you find the way of escape through temptation that will allow you to increase in godliness and contentment (1 Cor. 10.12, 13).

Finally, keep a close watch on your soul (1 Tim. 4.16), that no seed of covetousness or bitterness is sown by the enemy while you’re not paying attention (Matt. 13.24-28). Avoid those snares – thoughts, situations, conversations, etc. – where the snare of covetousness may be set (Prov. 1.17). 

And keep focused on Jesus and His calling for your life (Col. 3.1-3; 1 Thess. 2.12), and you can learn the freedom of contentment in everything you do.

Reflect.
1. Why is contentment such an important affection to learn?

2. What things disturb your contentment in Christ? How can you guard against these? Why must you?

3. What do we mean by saying that covetousness is the gateway of all sin? Give an example.

For there is no one free, save only one who lives for Christ. He stands superior to all troubles. And if he does not choose to injure himself, no one else will be able to do this, for he is impregnable. He is not stung by the loss of wealth, for he has learned that we “brought nothing into this world, neither can we carry anything out.” He is not caught by the longings of ambition or glory, for he has learned that our citizenship is in heaven. John Chrysostom (344-407), Letters to the Fallen Theodore 2.5

Teach me contentment, Lord! Guard my steps today against all covetousness, and help me to…

Pray Psalm 140.1-11.
Who are our foes? Spiritual forces of wickedness in high places; and it is appropriate to seek the Lord’s protection from them and victory over them. Use these verses to help you in doing so.

Sing Psalm 140.1-11.
Psalm 140.1-11 (Old Rockingham: O Lord Most High, with All My Heart)
From evil, violent men, I pray, deliver me, preserve me, Lord!
Their hearts they bend to evil ways, and serpent’s venom is their word.

Guard me, O Lord, from wicked hands, from violent men preserve my life!
They sow my path with wicked plans, with nets and snares and cords of strife.

You are my God, O God, my Lord! Give ear, show mercy to my pleas!
Salvation grant by Your strong Word; grant not their wicked, evil schemes.

As for the head of all my foes, let all their evil bring them down.
Let burning coals and endless woes on all their sland’rous words abound.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).