“Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called… until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,..—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:6-12,14-19
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Paul, having known the taste of earthly advantage, found focus and treasure transformed along with his salvation. All he’d considered gain was now loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Only Jesus, and remaining in the flow of His will and word, gave contentment and caused his heart to swell in praise. (Philippians 3:7-8)
As creatures here below, it is easy to get caught up in procuring, maintaining, and parading the gains of this world. We need, we deserve, we go after, we get. But gains quickly wane, the goal is reset, and new wants beckon. It is a fruitless exercise to keep adding to temporal gain.
The riches we own in Christ are without trouble and beyond measure. They were procured by Christ’s blood, infinitely costly yet free. They afford present satisfaction, lead to eternal life, and can be shared. How are we taking hold, and spreading our treasure? What do our daily efforts tell about which gain we pursue? (Matthew 6:21; Ephesians 1:3)
“My worth is not in what I own,
Not in the strength of flesh and bone,
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross.
My worth is not in skill or name,
In win or lose, in pride or shame,
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross.
As summer flowers we fade and die,
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by,
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross.
I will not boast in wealth or might,
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light,
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross.
I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest Treasure,
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other.
My soul is satisfied in Him alone.” ~Keith and Kristyn Getty, Graham Kendrick (2014)
Lord, fix my treasure in heaven and my heart’s desire on You, my wellspring.
As the rain and snow 