Contentment
Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town, 15 October 2023
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser

1Ti 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Let’s examine the components of contentment to procure God’s blessing in our lives.

1. Godliness
The Gospel scheme is simple: God the Father sent His Son, His Son did the will of the Father and the Holy Spirit empowers us to be His witnesses.
The word ‘godliness’ in Greek is G2150 eusebeia (pronounced: ‘yoo-seb’-i-ah’)
From G2152; piety; specifically, the gospel scheme: – godliness, holiness.
Godliness can be misunderstood as something religious, a pious posture or way of talking, but it is much more than an outward mask of holiness. It is an inner reality that works itself out through every part of our life and behaviour. It is the person of Jesus, God’s nature, the word made flesh, the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit present in every part of our walk of faith.

If someone is Godly, you will feel God’s presence even when they are relaxed and having fun.
You will see it when they go through trials of their faith, their joy in believing will remain intact. You will hear it in their speech and see it in their boldness in the face of adversity.
You will experience it when you visit them and enjoy their hospitality, their merry heart will draw you into a continual feast and the love of Jesus will permeate their relationships.
We believe and pray that we are such a loving church with a mission to make disciples of such a Jesus and His ways.

2. Contentment
G841 autarkeia (pronounced: ‘ow-tar’-ki-ah’)
From G842; self satisfaction, that is, (abstractly) contentedness, or (concretely) a competence: – contentment, sufficiency.
Contentment is something we have to learn, it is not easily achieved in this life, and the holy Spirit has to give you perspective about your life daily to walk in contentment. There are many troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of it all.
My contentment lies in the fact that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide me into all truth concerning my problems and show me what to do next. He has done so all my life and will not leave me nor forsake me. Practising the presence of God in such a way and acknowledging Him in all our ways, allows Him to direct our paths and walk in contentment.

There is such a wonderful journey ahead for those who believe in Jesus and receive the free gift of the Holy Sirit. In marketing, a free gift builds trust and gets people’s attention. We need to share the free gifts that the Lord has given us more to those in desperate need of salvation. It’s free! God gives freely. Jesus gave His life freely. The Holy Spriit is given to those who believe. To receive something means to take it in and make it part of you. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a powerful life changing moment, it accompanies your moment of being born again if you allow it. In Acts the Holy Spirit baptised the people listening to the voice of Apostle Peter as h spoke about Jesus. It can be that simple!
Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Act 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Act 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

3. Gain
The word for ‘great’ G3173 is ‘megas’ Thayer Definition:
of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons)
in particular, of space and its dimensions, as respects
mass and weight: great
compass and extent: large, spacious
measure and height: long
stature and age: great, old
of number and quantity: numerous, large, abundant
of age: the elder
used of intensity and its degrees: with great effort, of the affections and emotions of the mind, of natural events powerfully affecting the senses: violent, mighty, strong
predicated of rank, as belonging to
persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power
things esteemed highly for their importance: of great moment, of great weight, importance
a thing to be highly esteemed for its excellence: excellent
splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately
great things
of God’s preeminent blessings

Gain is expressed as follows: G4200 porismos
Thayer Definition:
1) acquisition, gain
2) source of gain
from a derivative of ‘poros’ (a way, i.e. means)
God gives us the ways and means to His Kingdom resources in order to fulfil His Will and establish His covenant.
It is also ‘procurement’ of resources.
When you live a Godly life, and accompany it with contentment of spirit, soul and body, it draws and helps you to procure the resources you need to continue that Godly contentment.

Deu 8:18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

This scripture serves as a reminder, that when you do well and say to yourself: “My power and might of my own hand have gained me this wealth,” then you shall remember that it is actually the Lord –

Godliness with contentment, that have procured you His resources for your life, family and indeed your legacy as a saint in His kingdom. Children need to understand that their parents have procured the kingdom for them to continue in and enjoy. That is why we have children’s church, youth meetings, young adults’ apprenticeships and mentoring through executive coaching in our church. We are establishing God’s covenant. The procurement of wealth and other things follow.

This teaching of Jesus shows how contentment is secured through kingdom focus:
Mat 6:30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Mat 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Mat 6:32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Mat 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

It is as if you are entering the contentment of your Heavenly Father about a matter, and over your life.
Hear God saying to you: “You are my beloved child in Whom I am well pleased.” How do we hear that voice? By faith in Jesus name. Jesus heard that voice when He was being baptized by John:

Mat 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”