What Is Gain

Background Scripture: 1 Timothy 6; Luke 12
Lesson Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-12,17-21

Introduction

To gain is to increase, achieve, improve, or get ahead, and there is something within man that craves gain. We tend to place our security in temporal things and find satisfaction in using our abilities to gain them. Some seek riches to gain financial security. Some seek the advantages of position, power, popularity, and honor. Today we want to read and discuss what the Scriptures teach about the perils of this very human desire. We want to learn why it is much better to find our security in our heavenly Creator.

Key Verse

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Heb. 13:5).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Paul, writing to Timothy, clearly differentiates between those of a corrupt mind and those who follow God. If we think gain is godliness, we will "fall into temptation and a snare?' When we begin letting our financial success comfort us in our spiritual walk with the Lord, we are shifting our first love away from Him and onto ourselves and our material possessions. We are following the corrupt mind when we love abundance and feel secure in our possessions. When we follow the flesh, we justify our drive for more—the flesh is adept at bringing these justifications when we are defending the desires of the heart. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21). Those who covet money and the things it buys ignore Jesus's teachings.

The Scriptures are very clear that when our love for God ebbs, we shift our love to carnal things. Jesus said we are to love the Lord with all our heart, all our soul, and our entire mind. Therein we find no leeway to place our love on the things of this present world. Paul made a profound statement when he said that "godliness with contentment is great gain?' This is our blessing when our first love is on our Lord Jesus Christ and our mind is renewed by the Holy Spirit. He will keep our thoughts and priorities within the will of God.

There will always be those who prosper financially. A farmer may have nearly perfect weather and raise a bumper crop. Someone in business finds his customer base growing and enjoys a substantial income increase. This can happen without a covetous spirit. But what is done with financial success tells the story. Is the money selfishly invested to gain more, or is the increase used in the work of the Lord as He directs?

Paul does not condemn those who have gained and are rich, but he does charge them to not feel superior and to share liberally what they have received. However, the charge to the rich to distribute is easily ignored because most people suppose they are not rich. A person is tended to perceive his economic standing by comparing with others. Almost without fail, in comparing with others one believes that the "rich" are those who have more than he does, thus he excuses himself from the instruction to liberally share.

Satan promotes the thought that the things of earth can bring happiness and security. Our lesson scripture points us to the real truth: financial success does not make us happy; security is found only in Christ. When He is our security, we will pursue the things of God.

Practical Truths for Today

"The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all" (Prov. 22:2). The rich and poor of many cultures populate the countries of the world. The common people in some countries are quite satisfied when they have food and clothing. At the same time, people of the developed countries strive for increase and expansion. Many of those in North America live in the midst of affluence and wealth. The urge to continually upgrade homes and vehicles is evident. It is very easy to become accustomed to plenty and to use it for personal gratification. Farmers have the means to buy bigger and better farm equipment and, consequently, buy more land to justify the improvements. Those in business see opportunities to expand their businesses and make decisions to do so.

Many laborers who work for others earn a consistent living, enough to buy necessities and make payments on a modest home. They may have a family and want to experience things other families enjoy, though these luxuries may be out of reach. But they work hard and save until they can pay for them. Is it acceptable to improve our lives in this way?

Are we content, or are we dissatisfied with our place? We may know people who seem to have it made. They drive a newer vehicle, live in a better house, and take vacations we only dream of. If we become envious and allow dissatisfaction to bring us into discontentment, we become one of those who "would be rich?' When we allow this spirit of discontentment, we may recklessly make investments and purchases beyond our means, falling into snares that not only jeopardize our financial well-being, but threaten our spiritual welfare as well.

Our forefathers were very concerned with what the drive to gain earthly possessions could do. They saw what happened when the Mennonites in Holland became successful businessmen. They lost their spirit of nonresistance, trusting in the systems of the world instead of trusting God. They demanded educated ministers, built beautiful churches, and accepted musical instruments. Joachim Christian Jahring, a Lutheran pastor in East Friesland, wrote that the Mennonites in the area were engaged in trade that grew as large as opportunity provided.1 The doctrine of the Anabaptist church had lost its importance, and they blended with the world.

As the Christian becomes financially successful, gaining wealth and honor, he is tempted to continue to use his opportunities to gain for himself. To assume that one can have the peace of God in his heart as well as enjoy the gain of successful investments is a peril. Paul's advice to flee the love of money and its consequences is applicable to all, but especially to those who prosper.

When we remember that we do not own the things we handle, but are only stewards of them, we will share our possessions. If we claim ownership, we tend to make decisions that benefit us first. When the Lord has blessed us financially, we must pray for grace to remain simple stewards. Stewards ask the Lord where He wants them to use their resources. Whether we lose or gain will lose its importance.

Paul wrote to the Philippians, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ" (Phil. 3:7), When we gain and consider it ours to use, our gain becomes a loss to the cause of Christ. May we be willing to do with less of this world's goods and make our possessions available for God's work. Christ looks for such to be workers in His kingdom. May our hearts be fixed on our Savior!

Questions

1. What are ways to change our mind-set from ownership to stewardship? How will this change affect our everyday life?
2. What makes contentment elusive?
3. What things would be gain to me and a loss for Christ?
4. Why do "things" not provide the security our soul longs for?
5. 1 Cornelius J. Dyck, An Introduction to Mennonite History, 3rd Edition, p. 162
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).