Another year has just begun. Upon the threshold of every new year we all have hopes for it, if not real expectations. We hope for good health, a better job, improved family relationships and more understanding from our associates. On a larger scale we would hope for world peace, a growth economy, a cure for dreaded diseases and the elimination of all of the problems of the world. But most of these are hopes, not expectations.
Observe, too, that most of the above hopes call for improvement of our lot in life. We are looking for some economic, physical or emotional gain, hoping that the gain will bring us a sense of well- being, a spirit of contentment. "If I just had more ___________, I would be content." Go ahead; fill in the blank. If you had that, would you be content?
The Bible says in I Timothy 6:6-8, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us therewith be content." Notice where "godliness" is placed in the quotation. Would that suggest that godliness is the most important thing we could seek in a new year?
Godliness involves a right relationship with God, a harmony with His will and a life of willing obedience to that will. It precludes a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior by which we are made godly in Him. It requires a daily trust in the faithfulness of God and a knowledge that He holds us accountable for our actions and attitudes. Because we have learned to love Him, we desire to please Him by godly conduct. The rightness of our conduct is dictated by the Bible, the Word of God, and the ability to do the right is given by the Holy Spirt Who dwells within the one who has trusted Christ. With these factors in place we can expect His reward for that conduct.
Let us tally the score: godliness is ours; the ability and guidance for godliness is ours; a reward for godliness is assured to us. In addition to all that, we have "food and raiment". Who could ask for anything more? "Let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).