What if the secret to a better life isn't getting more?
We all want to "win" at life, right? We want to make progress, see growth, experience success. But what does winning actually look like?
If you asked most people, they'd probably describe winning in terms of accomplishments: a better job, more money in the bank, a nicer house, stronger relationships, improved health. And those things aren't bad—they're just not the whole picture.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a young pastor named Timothy, and in it he made a promise about "great gain." Who doesn't want great gain? But what he described might surprise you.
Looking back: What has God been doing?
Before we look at what Paul promised, let's start by looking backward just a little bit because one of the most important habits we can develop is remembering what God has already done.
There's a verse in the Bible where Peter tells his readers, "Let me remind you..." and then he tells them a bunch of things they already know. Then he says it again: "Let me remind you..." Why would he keep saying that?
Maybe it's because we're really quick to forget. We're quick to say, "Thanks God for meeting my need yesterday," and then immediately move on to the next emergency without pausing to actually remember what he did.
So let's pause for a minute.
At our church, we asked some people to share what they saw God do this past year. Here are a few of their stories:
Ryan and Sarah experienced every parent's worst nightmare when their son Max was in a terrible accident. Max died multiple times. The doctors didn't think he'd make it. But Ryan said, "We got to see God move through the hands of his people. The church body came around us, brought us meals, checked in on us, and locked arms with us. When the rubber met the road, we got to see God move in supernatural ways."
Timothy went through what he called "fires and flames" at the beginning of the year—a real test of faith. But he said, "I have never felt so close to God before in my life. By the middle of the year, God's blessings were shining and pouring out. God was not done with me yet. He turned my life around and continued to mold me into the person he wants me to be."
Melissa lost eight friends and family members, including two to suicide and four to cancer. But in the midst of that grief, she got to help move homeless men into transitional housing and watch them regain hope and dignity. And her granddaughter Emma Kate was born—a baby doctors said would have severe disabilities and no quality of life. Melissa's family prayed, and Emma Kate was born healthy, hitting all her milestones. "The doctors are baffled," Melissa said. "But we're not. This is God."
These stories matter because they remind us: God shows up. He works in real, tangible ways in people's lives. And when we take time to remember what he's done, it builds our faith for what's ahead.
So here's a question for you: How has God been blessing you? What has he done in your life that you might be taking for granted?
The promise of great gain
Now let's look at what God promises in His Word. In 1 Timothy 6:6, Paul writes:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
That's it. That's the promise. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
You might be thinking, "Wait, that's it? That doesn't sound very exciting." But stick with me, because I think this might be one of the most countercultural, life-changing promises in the entire Bible.
What is contentment?
Paul explains it this way: "For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content" (1 Timothy 6:7-8).
Here's what he's getting at: Not everything has the same value, regardless of the cost.
We live in a culture obsessed with getting more. We've adopted what you might call "more-ism"—the belief that we always need just a little bit more to be happy. When is enough enough? When I have just one more thing.
But here's the truth: Getting a good deal doesn't mean what you bought will bring value to your life. And on the flip side, spending a ton of money on something doesn't guarantee you'll be satisfied with it. The newest, greatest thing will be just as unsatisfying in 12 months as what you have now.
Contentment is being satisfied with what God has given you.
And it's not just about stuff. It's about being satisfied with:
Who God made you to be (your personality, your strengths, your weaknesses)
What you have (your possessions, your financial situation)
Who you're with (your family, your friends, your community)
The tasks God has given you to do
Your health and strength
Think about it this way: If you start each day by praying, "Give us this day our daily bread"—asking God to give you what you need just for today—then whatever you have at the end of that day is what you needed. You don't have to wonder what God is doing. You asked him, and he delivered.
One paraphrase of the Bible puts it like this: "A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God."
The danger of loving money
Paul doesn't stop with contentment. He also warns about our common temptation: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith" (1 Timothy 6:10).
The love of money is dangerous because it tempts us to think that material things have the most value. But don’t forget you didn't have your stuff when you were born, and you can't take it with you when you die.
And here's what's sneaky: The love of money isn't just about wanting more money. It's also about where you put your attention.
You can have no money and think about it all the time—worrying about how you'll pay bills, stressing about what you don't have—and you're still worshiping money, even though you hate not having it.
If your thoughts are completely dominated by something—whether it's money, possessions, status, or achievements—that's where your attention is. That's where your affection is. And that's actually what you're worshiping.
There's a commandment at the end of the Ten Commandments that says, "You shall not covet." It's the only person-to-person commandment that addresses your heart instead of your external behavior. Don't murder—that's external. Honor your parents—that's external. But "don't covet"? That's internal. That's about what you want when you look at what other people have.
So here's the question: Are you constantly looking at other people and wanting what they have? Or are you content with what God has given you?
What about godliness?
But Paul doesn't just say "contentment is great gain." He says "godliness WITH contentment is great gain."
So what's godliness?
Paul tells Timothy: "Flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith" (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
Godliness is not just a list of don'ts—it's also a list of do's.
Sometimes Christians are known for what we're against. Don't drink, don't curse, don't do this or that. But what are we known for doing? What are we pouring our lives into?
Following Jesus means fleeing from sin AND pursuing what's good. It means running from things that harm us and running toward things that give life.
Here's what's incredible: Jesus was the greatest man who ever lived. Even people who don't follow him would admit that. Two thousand years later, people all over the world are still gathering to talk about him.
And God promises that if you surrender your life to Jesus, he will personally remake you to be like him from the inside out.
You don't need a life coach. You don't need a gym trainer. Jesus says, "I will dwell within you and remake you—heart, soul, mind, and body—to be what I made you to be."
Because here's the thing: Our problems aren't primarily material. They have deep roots in our soul.
Whether it's your stuff or your lack of stuff, your relationships or your lack of relationships, your achievements or your failures—the root of the problem is in your soul. And Jesus says he'll come and remake you from the inside out if you surrender your life to him.
Contentment is great. But contentment paired with godliness is great gain.
Don't just try harder
Now, you might hear this and think, "Okay, so I just need to try harder this year. Work on being more content. Work on being more godly. Got it."
But that's not what this is about.
You cannot fix yourself. If you could fix yourself and your problems, you would have already done it.
So don't just try harder. Instead, don't neglect God's presence.
Jesus promises, "I will be with you always to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20)." He says, "Abide in me and you will bear much fruit (John 15:1-5)."
He's the one doing the work of remaking you. Your job is not to muscle your way through life on your own. Your job is to stay connected to him, to surrender to him, to let him work in you.
At our church, we started something called the 3-2-1 prayer plan—a simple model for praying every day. You pray for three people (a spiritual wanderer, a spiritual companion, and a spiritual leader) at 2pm for one purpose: that God would work in their lives and yours. It's a way of staying connected to God throughout the day, letting him guide and shape you.
Where is God calling you to grow?
So here are the questions you need to sit with:
How is God blessing you? Take time to count your blessings. What are you taking for granted? Maybe even ask friends who know you well: "What blessings do I have that I'm not paying attention to?"
Where is God calling you to grow? Where have you been slack or lazy? Where have you been afraid to surrender something to God?
Here's the tension: Some of us need to stop striving so hard and just be content for a minute. Thank God for what he's doing instead of always chasing the next thing.
But some of us need to wake up and start growing again. We've gotten comfortable. We've stopped pursuing godliness. We're not dead yet, so there's still work to do.
Which one are you? I don't know. Ask God. He knows.
Jesus said it this way:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:3-6).
The greatest gains in life look like contentment and growing in Jesus.
What now?
If you're reading this and thinking, "I'm not sure where I stand with any of this," we'd love to help. Maybe you need to talk through what it means to surrender your life to Jesus. Maybe you need help figuring out where God is calling you to grow. Maybe you just need someone to pray with you about what contentment actually looks like in your life.
Reach out to us at ocala@weareneighborhood.church. That's what we're here for.
In the meantime, here's your assignment:
Count your blessings. Literally write them down. How has God been working in your life?
Share your blessings. Tell someone what God has been doing. Don't keep it to yourself.
Ask where you need to grow. And then don't try to fix it on your own. Stay connected to Jesus and let him do the work.
Godliness with contentment is great gain. That's the promise. That's what winning actually looks like.
And if you want to learn more about staying connected to God through daily prayer, check out our 3-2-1 prayer resources.
We'd love to hear your story. What has God been doing in your life? Where are you being challenged to grow? Let us know—we're in this together.
