Devotional: Enough is Enough- Godliness and Contentment
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
— 1 Timothy 6:6–7 (NIV)
Most of us spend our lives chasing after “enough.” A little more money, a better job, a newer car, a more comfortable home. But every time we upgrade or acquire, the satisfaction fades, and we start reaching again. The Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy cut through that endless striving with a simple truth: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
The false teachers in Timothy’s day thought godliness was a way to get rich. They treated faith as a business model. But Paul reminds us that true gain isn’t about profit; it’s about peace. Godliness isn’t about appearances or behavior first; it begins in the heart. It’s about desire. What do you want most? What do you long for when no one else is watching?
The Bible doesn’t tell us to kill desire; it teaches us to redirect it. Jesus doesn’t ask us to stop wanting. He invites us to want better. When our hearts are rich toward God, when we desire Him above everything else, contentment naturally follows. When we make God our treasure, everything else falls into place.
So how do we set our hearts toward Him? We practice godliness one choice at a time. When something good happens, pause to acknowledge that it came from God. When you feel anxious, pray instead of worry. When you have an opportunity to give, choose generosity over greed. When you make decisions, ask God, “What would You have me do?” These daily choices teach our hearts to depend on Him rather than on ourselves. They may seem small, but they shape us into people who treasure God first.
Paul’s reminder is both freeing and sobering: “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” Everything we own will one day belong to someone else. But there’s one thing that can never be taken from us—God Himself. When we build our lives on Him, we discover a foundation that never fades. His love is unshakable, His presence unending, His promises eternal.
Godliness not only brings contentment; it gives our lives a mission. When we realize that everything we have belongs to God, we begin to live differently. Our possessions become tools for His kingdom, not measures of our success. The goal of life is not accumulation but participation. God invites us to join Him in His work, using what we’ve been given for His purposes.
Prayer
Father, thank You for reminding me that real gain doesn’t come from getting more but from knowing You. Redirect my desires toward You. Teach me to find joy and peace in Your presence rather than in possessions. Help me use everything You’ve given me for Your purposes and to live out Your mission with a content heart.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Questions for Reflection
When you think about your desires, what are you longing for most right now?
How can you redirect your desires toward God this week?
What’s one area of your life where you can practice godliness by choosing to trust and honor God over self?
How might viewing your possessions as tools for God’s mission change the way you use them?
For Further Reading
Luke 12:13–21 — The Parable of the Rich Fool
Philippians 4:11–13 — Learning the Secret of Contentment
Matthew 6:19–21 — Treasures in Heaven
Contentment isn’t found in having everything. It’s found in trusting the One who is everything. When we set our hearts toward God and make Him our greatest desire, we discover that He truly is enough.
