A note from Daniel Knutson

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

I write this on Thursday, following our weekly Men's Community gathering. (Join us if you haven't already!) Today our table ended up talking about being content with what we have, rather than pursuing what we don't. How hard it is, to resist the feeling that everyone else has it better. The grass is greener on the other side they say. Someone this morning also reminded us that the grass is also greener over the septic tank...I'll let that one sink in.

How do we find contentment? Paul gives us a hint when he writes to Timothy. Often, it requires a change in perspective. He reminds us that we have brought nothing into this world. What we haven't isn't purely a result of what we've done. Someone supported us, taught us, developed us, gave us the opportunity, and trusted us, before we ever got the job, the promotion, the family, the home...everything we have has been done in partnership with someone else. Except for a couple of things. Creation was completed by the breath of God alone. And salvation is based on the work of Jesus. But even those things were done in partnership between the father, son, and Holy Spirit.

How do we find contentment? Well, gratitude is certainly powerful. Naming things we are grateful for in our lives can change our perspective so quickly, and we should practice gratitude daily. And perhaps there is yet another layer to finding contentment. What if instead of wishing we had things we don't, we began to ask how we could use what we already have, to serve someone else? We often get caught up in wishing we could have what others have, instead of serving others with what we do have. Oh, how that would change the way we view our lives when we are more focused on others than ourselves. We just might find ourselves living with godliness and contentment.


Daniel Knutson
Lead Pastor | Hope City Church