In this age of hyper-consumerism folks live for themselves more than ever before in history. I do not believe the Bible teaches against having “world” possessions as some say. It clearly states however that a ravenous desire for material things is unholy. The illustration below while comical makes the point that we need to build up our eternal “possessions/crown” not our “material/worldly” ones.
CONTEXT/STUDY
v.7 For we brought nothing into the world. He adds this for the purpose of setting a limit to the sufficiency. Our covetousness is an insatiable gulf, if it be not restrained; and the best bridle is, when we desire nothing more than the necessity of this life demands; for the reason why we transgress the bounds, is, that our anxiety extends to a thousand lives which we falsely imagine. Nothing is more common, and indeed nothing is more generally acknowledged, than this statement of Paul; but as soon as all have acknowledged it, (as we see every day with our eyes,) every man swallows up with his wishes his vast possessions, in the same manner as if he had a belly able to contain half of the world. And this is what is said, that, “although the folly of the fathers appears in hoping that they will dwell here for ever, nevertheless their posterity approve of their way.” (Ps. 49:13.) In order, therefore, that we may be satisfied with a sufficiency, let us learn to have our heart so regulated, as to desire nothing but what is necessary for supporting life.
John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 158.
6:6–8 Godliness with Contentment
TRUE PIETY HAS TRUE PLENTY. JOHN TRAPP: True piety has true plenty, and is never without a well-contenting sufficiency, a full sufficiency. The wicked in the fulness of their sufficiency is in straits. On the other hand, the godly in the fulness of their straits are in an all-sufficiency. COMMENTARY UPON ALL THE EPISTLES.
GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. EDWARD LEIGH: Godliness with self-sufficiency, for so it is word for word in the original. It restores us our primitive right and interest in the creatures. A godly person in their wants may claim the promise and live upon God. They are sure of the best supply, and in the best way. Every creature and blessing shall be sanctified to them. It produces gracious effects: (1) True contentment of mind. (2) Makes them thankful in the want of these things (as in Job). (3) They look on common favors as fruits of special love and down payments of a heavenly inheritance. (4) It makes such an impression on their hearts, as was in God in the bestowing of them; as God has showed love to them, so will they to the saints. ANNOTATIONS.
THE FOOLISH HURTFUL LUSTS OF COVETOUSNESS. JOHN MAYER: Godliness is great gain, having always by God’s providence that which is sufficient for food and clothing: for God will not suffer his people to want as is promised in Matthew 6:25–34 and as is prayed in Proverbs 30:8, and to this the next words seem to agree, “We brought nothing into the world.…” for if it be so, to have that which is sufficient here is gain enough.…
The foolish and hurtful lusts of those that set their hearts on riches are declared in the parable of him that thought to build his barns greater and thereinto to gather all his fruits and then to live at ease, to eat, drink, and to be merry. For such thoughts are foolish, because life is uncertain and when death comes there is a disappointment of the expected fruition of these things. And they are hurtful because the mind being exercised with such thoughts and desires is both distracted and troubled, having no such quiet as the minds of others, and better meditations are kept out, or choked, as the corn with briars and thorns. There is no greater hurt than this because where the word cannot work in the heart, it is most foul and corrupt, and so that soul cannot enter into God’s kingdom, from which all unclean things shall be excluded; and therefore these lusts are said to drown people in perdition and destruction, that is, of soul and body.…
And I think that no particular sin can be named, but covetousness may be said to be the root of it.… Covetousness, that it may fulfil its desires, commits witchcraft, murder, obscenity, or any wickedness. From hence also comes pride, said to be the beginning of all wickedness, because riches being gotten, pride follows and by riches luxury is maintained.…
Apostasy comes from covetousness, whilst either for rewards or for worldly gain people forsake the faith.… And Prosper notably in a few words sets forth all the miseries of the covetous, saying those who will have riches seek them not without labor, find them not without difficulty, keep them not without care, possess them not without hurtful delight, and lose them not without sorrow. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.
Lee Gatiss, Bradley G. Green, and Timothy George, eds., 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon: New Testament, vol. XII, Reformation Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019), 203–204.
DEVOTIONALS
Discover more from Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach 