1 Timothy 6:6 But 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. But 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.
I read this yesterday from David Jeremiah.
James Dyson is no overnight success. He’s worth about $5 billion now because of his vacuum cleaners, but did you know he went through 5,127 failed prototypes before his first model was successful? And then there’s Theodor Geisel. He wanted to be a writer, but his work was rejected 27 times by publishers. Some called his work “pure rubbish.” But he persevered and today you know him under his pen name “Dr. Seuss.” The myth of overnight success has ruined a lot of people who expected fame and fortune without work and exertion. It takes time to develop a quality life. And for that matter, fame and fortune are myths too. That is, they don’t bring the peace and joy we crave. What we need is godliness with contentment. That doesn’t come overnight either. It’s something that develops within us as we walk with God over time, seeking His face, doing His will, learning His Word, serving His people, and singing His praises. Overnight. Success. Fame. Fortune. Those words mean too much to too many. Instead, remember 66. That’s the number of books in the Bible. It’s also the location of a great secret about true success: 1 Timothy 6:6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
