1 Timothy 4:7-8 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Our society places high value on bodily exercise. Gyms are full. There is no short supply of gym memberships. People get up at ungodly hours of the morning to lift weights, workout, do their “cardio”, get toned, or get in shape. But according to Paul, bodily exercise profiteth little.

Now, I don’t think Paul was discouraging staying in shape, or getting some exercise for health’s sake. But I do believe he is discouraging getting up before dawn to workout, and then rushing into the day without spending time with God. Because exercising godliness > bodily exercise.

I wonder how our churches, yea, our world, would look, if we all placed as much emphasis on exercising ourselves “rather unto godliness” as we do on our bodies. What if we got up early, had a plan, “labored” in the Bible, toiled for souls, desired the “protein” of the Word, as so many do in their bodily exercise? Let’s take an honest assessment, and seek to exercise ourselves unto godliness. For this is “profitable unto all things”.