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Nowadays it’s difficult to find anyone who is truly content with his or her condition in life. No wonder Jesus said, “This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, (Matthew 6:25) isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes. Just remember being content doesn’t mean you don’t desire more; it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s to come.
Contentment Is Vital In God’s Kingdom.
Just imagine you might not have accumulated a lot of possessions for example wealth, but you can afford to smile, sing for God and even enjoy life due to being content, leading to happiness. On the other hand, you might be wealthy and dissatisfied no matter how much you have or where you are, Afterall money can buy happiness but not contentment.
It’s important to learn to be content in whatever state you are (Philippians 4:11). Remember contentment does not come from getting more and more stuff—because the eye is never content with how much it sees (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). We should be content with much or with little. Being rich in the things of the world and poor in the things of God is one great cause of discontentment.
I read an article which said if you have a roof over your head and a meal on your table you are richer than 93% of the world’s population. If you wear a pair of shoes you are richer than 75% of the people in the world. Solomon, the wisest and richest man who ever lived, said, “If you love money, you will never be satisfied; if you long to be rich, you will never get all you want. It is useless.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Jesus advised us to be content with what we have. Moreover, He has given us a direct command not to worry about the things of this world. Then He adds, “Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:32-33). Here we learn that lack of contentment is sin and it puts us in the same category as those who do not know God.
According to 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 we learn that Paul always did God’s will despite all the unpleasant circumstances. Paul did this because he understood what contentment meant.
“I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me”. (Philippians 4:12-13).
The writer to the Hebrews adds, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Yet people continue to seek after more of the things of this world, never contented with their lot in life. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.
Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have. So, as Christians we should trust and have confidence in God that He will satisfy our condition regardless of our circumstances. For we know surely that if we are faithful God will cause all things to work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
To worry means we do not trust God. The key to overcoming our discontentment and lack of faith is to find out who God really is and how He has been faithful to supply the needs of His people in the past. Such study will grow one’s confidence and trust for the future. The apostle Peter said it succinctly: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
I even started to realize that the opposite was true. When I accepted whatever was happening, I would be more content, and when I was more content, I would have more energy and confidence, which translated to more productivity.
Pastor Nathaniel
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