3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 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. 10 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 Timothy 6)
Sound Doctrine and Contentment. When we have these, Paul says, Life is good. Knowing that we have salvation in Christ and being grateful for it, along with realizing that all things belong to God, and He entrusts us with what we need, lead to peace in our hearts and peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is when we become puffed up in heart, thinking we know more than those who have gone before, or when we selfishly want more than we have, that we make life difficult for ourselves and everyone around us. Paul does not oppose working hard or succeeding in business, but he does rightly point out that lust - be it for things, power, or thinking we have superior knowledge to others, is diametrically opposed to Christ, and will result in broken relationships and in a life that is never satisfied. Sound doctrine and contentment: a winning combo.
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