1 Timothy 6:8 – Content

Now having sustenance and shelter, with these we shall be sufficed.

Rich is not the one who has a lot of money or property. Rich is the one who has enough. For many this is just tile wisdom, but for Paul this wisdom was a daily reality. He writes about it in his letter to the Philippians (4:11-13). He had experience with abundance but especially with what others would refer to as lack and shortage. But in all those circumstances he had learned to be content.

The word for ‘sustenance’ refers to food and everything that is desperately needed to stay alive. The word for ‘shelters’ (skepasmata), can refer to a roof over the head, but also to clothing.

Both applications involve the idea of ​​protective covering. And since Paul uses a plural here, perhaps he was also thinking about shelter as well as clothing. Many passages in Scripture teach us that we need not worry about anything (Matt. 6:25-34; Phil. 4:6). For there is One who cares for us and knows what we need and what is best for us. How relaxing is that! Couldn’t we leave everything to Him with peace of mind?

Delen: