Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Timothy 6:6-10

"But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content. But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows." — 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (ASV)

Those who use Christianity as a mere trade to serve their own purposes in this world will be disappointed; but those who attend to it as their calling will find it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. The one who is godly is sure to be happy in another world; and if contented with his condition in this world, he has enough; and all truly godly people are content. When brought into the greatest hardships, we cannot be poorer than when we came into this world; a shroud, a coffin, and a grave are all that the richest person in the world can have from all their wealth.

If nature should be content with a little, grace should be content with less. The necessities of life bound a true Christian's desires, and with these he will endeavor to be content. We see here the evil of covetousness. It is not said of 'those who are rich,' but of 'those who will be rich'—those who place their happiness in wealth and are eager and determined in the pursuit. Such people give Satan the opportunity of tempting them, leading them to use dishonest means and other bad practices to add to their gains.

This desire also leads them into so many occupations and such a hurry of business as to leave no time or inclination for spiritual religion; it also leads them into connections that draw them into sin and folly. What sins will people not be drawn into by the love of money! People may have money and yet not love it; but if they do love it, this will drive them to all evil. Every sort of wickedness and vice, in one way or another, grows from the love of money.

We cannot look around without perceiving many proofs of this, especially in a time of outward prosperity, great expenses, and lax profession of faith.