The Gains of Godliness
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Intro: I want to establish the point of this message tonight – it pays to live godly!
God has promised to pay out dividends for living life according to His Word and His Will.
Most of the world fails to understand this truth. In fact, they seek gain in all the wrong places.
They are too busy looking for all the wrong kinds of gains in all the wrong places.
Sadly, even many of God’s people think living for God is a waste.
They think it is a waste of time. It is a waste of energy. It is a waste of resources. It is a waste of talent.
· Malachi 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
NOTE: Godly people are NOT losers!!!
A. The Enemies of Godliness - vs. 3-5
There are two basic groups of people found in the Bible; godly and ungodly.
The enemies of the godly are the ungodly.
Let’s look at what Paul says about them in just these few verses.
1. The Corruption of the Enemies – vs. 3, 4
They are corrupt in their words – vs. 3, 4a
· 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,
· 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
They are corrupt in their doctrine. - vs. 3b
· and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
They are corrupt in their minds. – vs. 5
· 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth…
2. The Confusion of the Enemies – vs. 5b “…supposing that gain is godliness…”
So many people got it backwards.
They supposed that gain was evidence of God’s blessing.
They assumed that material wealth and bigger followings were proof that they were godly.
They were so arrogant that they misinterpreted success as validation of godliness.
But it is not.
They got it backwards.
3. The Caution of the Enemies – vs. 5c “…from such withdraw thyself.”
The godly have nothing in common with the ungodly.
Those that pursue godliness will never find common ground with those contrary to godliness.
They teach otherwise. – vs. 3
They consent not to wholesome words. – vs. 3
They will not even consent to the words of Jesus Christ and to godly doctrines.
NOTE: I am sick of virtue signaling from people that have no idea what virtue is!
Where is the common ground?
How can we NOT withdraw ourselves?
We are ordered to withdraw from them. (Psalm 1:1)
We are not commanded to try to understand them, or tolerate them, or try to help them.
Just walk away. Leave them to their own devices.
Don’t try to understand them. Don’t have dialogue with them. Don’t be patient with them.
The command is clear – WITHDRAW THYSELF!
B. The Enthusiasm of Godliness – vs. 6
· 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
CONTENTMENT: a perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed, sufficiency of the necessities of life, a mind contented with its lot, contentment
This is a pursuit of a life of godliness without feeling obligated, or doing it out of duty.
Not acting like you’re deprived, left out, living without joy or satisfaction.
This life of godliness reflects assurance and a confidence and a contentment that is a perfect life.
C. The Evidences of Godliness – vs. 6 “…great gain.”
GAIN: acquisition, gain
Unlike the enemies of godliness, we find the right order of things in verse 6.
The enemies thought that gain was godliness; but they had it backwards.
Godliness comes first, then comes the gains.
What gains do you suppose comes with godliness?
What do you get? How does being godly benefit us?
Let’s see if we can search the Scriptures for an answer to this.
The Gains of Godliness are…
I. A Conscience that is Undefiled
1 Peter 3:16
· 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
· 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
You cannot put a price tag on a clean conscience.
Living godly will bring the priceless benefit of handling false accusations.
God comes to the rescue of those that live godly.
· 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
The Gains of Godliness are…
II. A Conflict that is Undeserving
The Bible is clear – being godly will ensure opposition.
You and I do not have to endure conflict and adversity because of wrongdoing, but because we’re godly.
· 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Satan was so sure that Job would turn on God when faced with trouble because of this issue.
Satan argued with God that Job only lived a life of godliness because of what he could get out of it NOW.
Job 1
· 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
· 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
· 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Many people think that because they are having problems, it’s not worth it to serve God.
They do not realize that godliness is gain – and nothing can take that away.
Living for God is its own reward.
· 1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
The Gains of Godliness are…
III. A Conversation that is Undistracted
READ 2 Peter 3
· 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
· 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
· 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
· 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
· 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
One of the great benefits of pursuing a life of godliness is the perspective that we glean from Scriptures.
This world is temporary. It will all burn up and pass away.
One thing that will NOT pass away are those that do the will of God!
1 John 2
· 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
· 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The Gains of Godliness are…
IV. A Confidence that is Undeniable
I Timothy 4
· 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
· 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
In a culture that is super involved in exercise, Paul warned Timothy about unprofitable priorities.
In a day and age that is obsessed with “working out”, maybe we should be working out something eternal.
Paul clearly encouraged a pursuit of godliness “…having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
The GAINS OF GODLINESS are literally out of this world!
Philippians 2
· 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
· 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
· 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
· 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
· 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Conclusion: God has promised great reward to those that REFUSE the gain of the wicked in exchange for the gain of godliness.
Isaiah 33
· 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
· 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
Make no mistake, Church! There are many wonderful Gains of Godliness!
Comments