Godliness and Contentment

I would like to simply look at a number of scriptures today that agree perfectly with one another, and that set forth an irrefutable truth which has been smothered by the popular ‘prosperity’ doctrines in Christianity today that are designed to cultivate the carnal mind in those who adhere to them (Rom. 8:5-7; Philip. 3:17-19). The bulk of scriptures that I would like to cite were written by Solomon, and the reason is because Solomon not only was given extraordinary divine wisdom by God, but he was also qualified in this particular arena because he was one of the wealthiest men who has ever lived. So let’s take a look, beginning with a quick scan of the book of Proverbs: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her” (Prov. 3:13-15). “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. or wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver” (Prov. 8:10,11,18,19). “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death” (Prov. 11:4). “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith… He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house” (Prov. 15:16,17,27). “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right… How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! … Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Prov. 16:8,16,19). “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife” (Prov. 17:1). “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Prov. 23:4,5). “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Prov. 30:8,9).

Next we have Solomon again with the greatness of his divinely inspired wisdom in the book of Ecclesiastes: “So I was great, and increased [in wealth] more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy… Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun” (Eccl. 2:9-11). “Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit” (Eccl. 4:6). “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?” (Eccl. 5:10,11). “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it” (Eccl. 7:12). Plenty more scripture saying the same things could be cited, but I am certain that the honest of heart can see that the point is abundantly clear and confirmed. Before leaving the old testament I would like to cite a verse that shows what the mind and spirit of someone should be, who has much in this world but both uses it rightly, and does not trust in it. For this we go to the father of Solomon, which was David, the great king of Israel: “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Prov. 62:10). I added that scripture lest anyone should think that I am making a point that having a lot of means it automatically makes someone unrighteous. In fact it does not, but those in the Bible who were both wealthy and faithful to God are far fewer in number than those who had little and were faithful. Now it is only fitting that we should let the new testament scriptures finish and confirm the point, lest anyone should think that the way of true faith in God has changed. And I believe we can trust the words of Jesus to not be lacking in any wisdom, wouldn’t you say? “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things [food and raiment]. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mat. 6:31-33).

"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful" (Mat. 13:22). "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation" (Lk. 6:24). "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Lk. 12:15). "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Lk. 16:13). And what does the apostle Paul have to say in the matter? "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (Philip. 4:11,12). "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows… Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [support leadership]; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (I Tim. 6:5-10,17-19). We will let James finish the topic for us with an undeniable statement of truth: "And [if] ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" (Jas. 2:2-5). Need I say more friend, except for this one question:? Where are the popular ‘prosperity’ preachers now? I believe they are somewhere hiding from the overwhelming soundness of the evident truth. I would be hiding as well if I were them. Amen.