What does it truly mean to be content? This is a word that is not counted as a virtue in our society. We are taught from birth until death to strive for more. There’s always one more goal, more money, more prestige, much more to be achieved. We are taught the opposite of contentment. We call it ambition and paint it as pretty, but when ambition rules our lives, it is greed. As in most things, when we don’t do it in God’s way, it leads to sin.
Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:11, to be content. Paul had suffered much as a man standing for God, but he had learned and practiced contentment with whatever his circumstances had come to be. He used the word learned because contentment comes from being satisfied with God. Sometimes God allows us to be in situations where we have no option but to wait on Him. Paul had many situations like this where he had plenty of time to wait and trust God.
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Greed stems from not being content with what God has provided in the proper way. What do I mean by the proper way? We know that contentment does not mean to be lazy. We are to work to provide the “needs” of this life, and we are to work hard.
Matthew 25:26 “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:”
II Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
It is just as bad to be lazy as it is to be discontent. We are to work hard and to do as well as we can with what we have, but the desire to have more should not rule our lives.
Paul tells us to press toward the mark of the high calling. In other words, keep working, keep striving, keep pushing, but it’s not for things.
Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The prize of the Christian is the crown that is incorruptible in heaven. We are to keep striving, to press on until we reach heaven. To seek to be more like Jesus every day. To seek a crown that will never fade away. We are to seek to live with eternity in view. Is that ambitious, absolutely, but it is in its proper place. Let your discontent be toward eternal things.
I’m not saying we should not have nice homes, good food, fun, etc. What I am saying is that we can’t be consumed with the “getting” of things. Does the desire for a better life cause you to take the Sunday shifts when it’s not required? Do you miss having your devotions because you “gotta make the extra buck?” What restraints have you placed on yourself, or your family, so that you can have more? Have you given up time to train your children for things? Does your worship of God get a time slot like everything else in your life?
Are you keeping things in their proper place? All the things that God has provided for us are to be used to honor and glorify him. If he has blessed you with a home, share it. There are always those who could use a good meal. Can you share a bedroom with a missionary or a guest of your church, so that the hotel money can be used for a greater cause? Will you give up that new outfit or shopping trip to help someone else? Most of us would do this for friends or family, but would you do it for someone you don’t really know? I’m talking about going out of your way to show the love of Christ. When was the last time you were content? When and what did you give up something you thought you needed for someone else. Have you ever really sacrificed?
I do believe that as we seek contentment, God will go above and beyond with the blessings. It’s all in the seeking. If God were all you had, would it be enough? Do you love him enough to be satisfied with him and him alone? Those are hard questions for even the best of Christians, but they are questions we need to ask ourselves.
