How can we apply "great gain" from godliness in our spiritual growth? Great Gain: What Scripture Means – “Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) – In the Greek, “great gain” (megistos porismos) pictures a profit surpassing anything the world can offer. – Godliness = a life aligned with God’s character; contentment = restful satisfaction in His sufficiency. – The “gain” is both present (peace, freedom from grasping) and future (eternal reward; 2 Corinthians 4:17). Contentment: The Heart of Godliness • Philippians 4:11-13 – Paul “learned to be content” in every circumstance, through Christ’s strength. • Hebrews 13:5 – Contentment grows as we trust His promise: “Never will I leave you.” • Practical steps: – Keep a gratitude journal; rehearse God’s faithfulness daily. – Don’t compare; celebrate God’s unique provision for others. – Simplify possessions; hold everything as a steward, not an owner. Guardrails Against Greed • 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns that craving riches “plunges men into ruin.” • Matthew 6:33 sets the counter-strategy: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” • Action points: – Budget with generosity in mind (firstfruits giving; Proverbs 3:9). – Ask before purchases: Will this serve God’s purposes or feed discontent? – Practice regular fasting from non-essentials to reset desires. Daily Practices That Grow Godliness 1. Word Saturation – Psalm 1:2-3; let Scripture shape priorities. • Read, meditate, and memorize; aim for obedience, not information. 2. Prayerful Dependence – Proverbs 3:5-6; surrender plans, invite guidance. 3. Fellowship – Hebrews 10:24-25; godly friends help spot creeping materialism. 4. Service – 2 Corinthians 9:8; pour grace received into “every good work.” 5. Sabbath Rhythms – Rest weekly to declare God, not work, is the source of worth. Eternal Perspective: Counting the Gain • Mark 8:36 reminds us earthly profit can cost a soul; godliness protects that treasure. • 2 Peter 1:3 – We already have “everything we need for life and godliness.” • Storehouses in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20) never inflate, rust, or crash. • Each act of contented obedience “stores up for themselves a treasure as a firm foundation for the future” (1 Timothy 6:19). Walking It Out Together – Share testimonies of God’s provision; celebrate “great gain” stories in small group. – Encourage one another to finish well; remind each other of the surpassing worth of Christ (Philippians 3:8). – Keep eyes fixed on the Day when faith becomes sight and every sacrifice proves worth it (Revelation 22:12). |
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