I recently heard a powerful message on one of the Ten Commandments — Thou shall not covet. While listening, I realized there is a strong connection between coveting and discontentment. If we are truly content in our circumstances, we will never covet. Our neighbor’s house, spouse, servant, or ox will be no temptation if we are truly and completely content in our circumstances and life situations. We could possibly rephrase the tenth commandment to say, “be content.”

THE KEY TO KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS

I believe contentment is the key to keeping the other commandments. It is hard to imagine a truly content person engaging in theft, adultery, or murder. Contentment is powerful indeed!

THE FINAL STEP OF GODLINESS

As I wrote in The Power of Contentment (1.0), this is not a superficial contentment that lasts as long as the weather is good, we get good service at a restaurant, our team wins the game, or we drive through ten green lights in a row. I'm speaking of the contentment described in Philippians 4. Paul is content in abundance or extreme lack, comfort or extreme distress. This type of contentment is the final step of godliness.

AN ADDITIVE TO GODLINESS

For years, I have sought to understand the fullness of the words Paul wrote to Timothy:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. — 1 Timothy 6:6

Think about it. I find it shocking to think godliness would need some type of additive in order to be a means of great gain. Most of us wish godliness was a word used to describe us, yet we struggle to approach the standard of godly living on a consistent basis. We think, “If only I could live a godly life,” and yet, here Paul says even if we did, it would not be enough. In fact, this verse seems to imply godliness without contentment may not get you very far in God’s economy. Even godliness requires contentment to be a means of great gain. There is definitely power in contentment!

A STATE OF THE HEART

Finally, consider the positioning of the tenth commandment; it is the last one. It somehow wraps up that which represents the standard of godliness we are to live by, which is really all about being content. The other commandments are in some way related more to what we do. Thou shall not covet speaks more to who we are, what is residing in our heart and mind. It is as if the first nine commandments tell us what we are supposed to do. They are the standard of godliness in outward expression. The last commandment speaks to what is in our heart, telling us the rightness of heart necessary to complete what true godliness is.

The first nine commandments actually require the last one, the final step of godliness, because it speaks to a heart transformed by the power of Christ.

Godliness is actually a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment!

Ash Wednesday

As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.

Being Connected

Despite being more technologically linked than ever, studies now show loneliness and disconnection are at an all-time high. How does this trend truly affect your spiritual life and personal connection with God?

Maintaining a Life of Integrity

Every believer agrees that maintaining our integrity is one of best things we could for our spiritual life, but does it have to be so difficult. Read more to find out how to build consistency with maintaining your integrity.

Who You Are When No One is Looking

In a broken world that is constantly trying to bring us down, striving for genuine righteousness throughout our lives is not easy, but the good news is… it is possible.

Five Things You May Not Know About the Lord’s Prayer

Do you Pray “The Prayer?” This prayer unites Christians in all parts of the world. Though the Lord’s Prayer is well known to believers everywhere, when you look hard at its words, you can learn from how this prayer can guide and impact your daily life.

The Cross

The cross casts the most significant shadow in all of human history. It is where we see the righteousness, justice, and love of God working together for our great good. This Easter, our thoughts are centered around the cross, upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.

Lion and the Lamb

The scriptures speak of Jesus in extremes, as both the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. The most important thing to remember is that Jesus is always able to be exactly what you need!

An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Everyone has their own opinion about what has happened at the events sounding the revival at Asbury University. But it is hard to deny there is truly a movement of God taking place.

Three Ways Christian Leaders Lead Differently

Here are three key aspects of leadership to consider if you want to lead from a true Biblical perspective.

Trust But Verify

In order to navigate between what is true in our world today, the adage “trust, but verify,” is an essential concept as we learn to discern God’s voice from all the other voices surrounding us.

Proclamation and Practice

In many parts of the world, Christians can practice their faith but can not proclaim it. Does your life help others see and hear the Gospel?

The Battle Plan

Most Christians would agree that we are involved in a battle. Paul speaks of this battle and gives us four keys to fighting successfully in this spiritual engagement. Let’s look at each of these four crucial components for victory in the battle.