GODLINESS OR GREAT GAIN
By Ken Blue
“…supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Timothy.
It is noteworthy that the text is found in the Pastoral Epistles, and the context is speaking of pastors and teachers. One of the ways God allows men to deceive themselves is their assumption that any kind of gain indicates their godliness. This is where the end is built on the wrong premise.
The pastor should realize that there is little relationship between material success and godliness. Some of us have been around long enough to discover that most of the godly pastors have very little in the form of material possessions.
There is the deception that men build large ministries because they have some secret connection with God. That is not the case. Godliness is one thing; material prosperity is quite another. All of us know men who have built large ministries, while living in gross immorality. The problem is that talent and personality are mistaken for godliness.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…godliness with contentment is great gain![/perfectpullquote]
Christian, do not envy the successful. Keep your eyes in the Book and on the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t be fooled or infatuated with pastors who are dynamic speakers or have a ministry larger than yours. You keep your heart right with God. That is what matters. Men do not have larger ministries because of godliness!
Godliness is based on your walk with God. Church growth is based on other factors. These do not have to be in conflict or opposition, but they are not the same. They simply need to be understood and identified. Remember, gain is not proof you are godly; but, godliness with contentment is great gain!
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.