CONTENTMENT

Philippians 4: 11–13: For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

                                                                                                                                                                   

We live in a world that breeds discontent. We are bombarded with the message that to be happy we need more things, less wrinkles, better vacations, and fewer troubles. We are often discontented in our jobs, our marriages, our churches, our homes — in most areas of our lives. But the Bible teaches us not only to be content (Heb. 13:5kjb), it teaches us that we can be content.

Contentment is one of the most difficult Christian virtues to attain. A contented Christian is the one who best knows God’s sovereignty and rests in it. How can we be content? What are the benefits of contentment?

What is contentment?

Contentment is an"internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances." Contentment requires humility and a willingness to receive what God gives, to relinquish what He takes, to suffer what He sends, to do what He says and to be what He requires.  Contentment can't be achieved without personal discipline and staying within the lifestyle parameters God has established, based on His provision (Luke 12:15kjb; 16:13-14kjb).

How can we be content?

In today's society, it's not normal to step down. Once a certain level of income, spending, and lifestyle is attained, most will renege and even go into debt in order to maintain that level. Stepping down to an affordable level is considered a failure. The secret to contentment are:

         1.     Learn to give thanks in all things. In times of want, we think God has failed us materially.               This attitude is possible only when we allow Satan to convince us to compare ourselves to                   others. The primary defense against this attitude is to praise God. Satan uses lavishness to create         discontent and selfish ambition. Thankfulness is a state of mind, not an accumulation of assets.           Until we can truly thank God for what we have and be willing to accept God's provision,                     contentment will never be possible. Thankfulness is a matter of obedience (1 Thess. 5:18kjb)                and also a characteristic of a Spirit-filled believer (Eph. 5:20kjb).

           2.     Learn to rely on God's power and provision. If we truly know God, we know that He is                   unfolding His agenda and purpose in our lives daily (Rom. 8:28kjb). Jesus said He will never               leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5kjb). Like Paul, we can learn to rely on Christ's promise to                 continually see His glory in our lives. (2Corin. 12:9-10kjb)

          3.     Learn to be satisfied with little. Paul had learned to make the choice to be satisfied with little,          and he knew it was important for others to learn to make that same choice. Paul exhorts us to be          content since it is great gain (read 1Timothy 6:6-10kjb). Paul understood that covetousness and           contentment are mutually exclusive.

4. Establish a reasonable standard of living. It is important to develop a lifestyle based on conviction, not circumstances. On whatever level God has placed you, live within the economic parameters established and supplied by Him. Satan can easily duplicate any worldly riches but God's abundance is without sorrow and is for the purpose of bringing others to Christ. (Proverb 10:22kjb).
5. Establish priorities. Many Christians are discontented—not because they aren't doing well but because others are doing better. Too often Christians look at what they don't have and become dissatisfied and discontented, rather than thanking God for what they do have and being content with what He has supplied. We need to set our priorities right!

6.     Reject a fearful spirit. One of the most effective tools used by Satan against Christians is the question, "What if?" Dedicated Christians get trapped into hoarding because they fear the "What if?" of retirement, disability, unemployment, economic collapse, and so on. Although God wants us to be concerned about these things, when fear dictates to the point of discontentment, unwise risks are assumed, worry seems to control every decision and contentment then becomes impossible. Stand up to fear. Say, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13kjb). Trust God's promise.

Finally

To be content, don't compare. Comparing your life against others or your past creates a lot of unhappiness. Make every effort to enjoy and make the most of what you have. Contentment is so far removed from many Christians that it seems they will never be able to find it or be at peace. However, contentment is not something that must be searched for and found. It is an attitude of the heart. Once the attitude has been modified and all has been transferred to God, contentment will be evident. Amen!

Socrates once said, “Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.”

                                                                                                                                                                   

Further readings: Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:11-12, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 12:15, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:19-24, Proverbs 30:8-9, Proverbs 28:6, Psalm 23:1, Psalm 55:22, James 2:5, Psalm 34:17, Proverbs 28:8.

*Kjb means King James Bible