“CONTENTMENT”

“Contentment” is being satisfied in one’s mind with the state we are in or with material possessions that we have. However, in our nation where many have great possessions real “contentment” is rare to find; this is especially true outside the family of God. We see men and women working at more than one job in order to gain more possessions. This is often referred to as “keeping up with the Joneses”. Because such people are never satisfied with what they have they find themselves in a state of discontentment. Is there any way to overcome discontentment? Let us go to the Word of God for our solution.

The first verse that came to my mind was 1 Timothy chapter 6, verse 6: (1 Tim 6:6) "But godliness with contentment is great gain." The word godliness, here, and in several other places of this epistle, signifies the true religion, Christianity. A Christian is one who is satisfied with the things that are necessary to support life and his or her family. Therefore, if you are seeking “contentment” the very first thing that you should do is to learn what you must do to become a Christian! Becoming a Christian is not difficult to do; God has given full instructions to become a Christian. He wants you to be able to study and learn what you must do and He has provided you with a full set of instructions. If anyone has the food necessary to survival and enough clothing to cover their bodies they have what God calls “great gain”.

Another verse that has solid information is Psalms 37:16 "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked." Although this verse might lead some to think that you cannot be rich and be “righteous” that would be a false notion. Remember Abraham, Lot, David and Joseph, they were rich and yet the Bible speaks of them as being “just” or “righteous”. But generally speaking it is the wicked that have the largest share of worldly goods, therefore the righteous are “content” with what they have! The Psalmist is not saying that a little is better that much, or that poverty is better having much nor is he saying that a poor man is better than a rich man. The comparison that is meant here should be between a righteous person and a wicked person. We should understand this verse to simply mean that the “righteous” person will be content with what he has while the rich are always seeking for more! The rich are never satisfied: (Eccl 5:10) "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity." The “righteous” person is content to know that God will keep His promises: (Heb 13:5) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Just knowing that God will “never leave us” and that He will never “forsake” us gives us all the “contentment” that should ever be desired. I would suggest that there might even be a hidden message here; we are to be content with “such things that we have” WHETHER IT BE RICHES OR POVERTY!

The apostle Paul has set a good example for us: (Phil 4:11-12) "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. {12} I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Paul was content when he had plenty of food and raiment and he was also content when he had nothing at all. What an example Paul should be to us. Have you ever been so hungry during worship service that your belly growled at you? Did you get up and leave? Actually I have never known of this taking place in a worship service. What would you say in such a situation; was the hungry person content or not? Yes, they found themselves in a state of want, yet they were content to be where they were and they were content to be doing what they were doing. I hope that you can see the real definition of “contentment” from my example.

As Christians we should earnestly strive to be content with any situation we may find ourselves in as long as we are doing God’s will and we are not offending God in any way. Are you content in doing God’s will? As the song goes won’t you be content to “Let Him have His way with You”? Just remember God will never leave nor forsake you!

-Bud