“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
The whole problem with discontentment is that it is wanting what we don’t have. So, to really grasp contentment is to want nothing more than what God has already given. Then how does it fit that embracing contentment means that we gain?
The real problem with our discontent is that it is focused on the things of this life, which are destined to end. We can gain everything this world has to offer, and from an eternal perspective we are exactly as far along as the person who has gained nothing this world has to offer.
Jesus gives us a different focus. “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33).
When our focus is on God’s kingdom, on aiming for his glory and getting to his heavenly home, then we do gain. We gain people for the kingdom. We gain peace for our souls. We gain contentment with this life, because we are focused on the next life. Heaven is ours. It is a sure thing, because of Jesus. When we stop spending time worrying about and trying to get things here, we find the peace that comes with knowing we already have everything to look forward to eternally. That’s the great gain of contentment.