The apostle Paul, in his first letter to his disciple Timothy, teaches him to examine the scriptures in the light of piety or godliness, to live the path of godliness is resume in the bible verse: "fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses", 1 Timothy 6:12.
The goal of the spiritual gifts is not happiness, but yes, the eternal life (contemplative activity), the communion (ethical order of society) and the sanctity (fruits of the spirit).
The godliness, piety or fear of the lord is one of the most important spiritual gifts, is define as constancy, firmness, devotion, ecuanimity, stability. The Word of God or inspired wisdom, needs constancy to bear fruit, according to the parable of the sower (Mark 4, Matthew 13, Luke 8):"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by constancy produce a crop" Luke 8:15.
To "fight the good fight of the faith" is to abandon the heresies (forms of error) that lead us away from the path of godliness:
"If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing" 1 Timothy 6:3
About mercy, the apostle Paul ads: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing in the world, and we can take nothing out of it." 1 Timothy 6:6. This refers to the parable of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44), the kingdom of god is hidden wisdom, hidden happiness.
Paul also warns Timothy that the main reason of why men abandon the path of piety is because of the greed of riches: "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.
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