T oday, discontentment is everywhere, but Christians should shine like a beacon of contentment, since their contentment rests with Christ.
[1]Money and the love of money can control us in many circumstances.
First Timothy 6:7-8 “for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
I brought nothing in and can bring nothing out of this world, except my soul and that’s through trusting in Jesus Christ. It’s so easy to own possessions but easier still to have possessions own you! There are risks at having a lot of possessions because “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Tim 6:9). It’s not that money is the root of all evil, but it can be a root of evil when money takes root in you (1 Tim 6:10).
First Corinthians 4:7 “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
Think about that verse for a moment. Name one thing that you came up with by yourself. Is there anything you have that you did not receive from God? The Apostle Paul is trying to humble the pride-oriented Corinthian church, but that should humble us too. Shouldn’t we be content with what we have, since all we have is from God?!
Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
[2]
A believer that worries about money is never more like an atheist at that time. Why? They are not trusting God’s promise to provide for them as the Bible says He will. Money can forsake us, but God, never! It is very easy to start trusting money more than trusting God takes care of us, especially when funds get low! Worry is a lack of trust. The solution is to believe God’s Word and to be content with whatever we have and in whatever state we find ourselves in. God is in total control of the good, bad and the ugly, and will bring about the best for us from all of those (Rom 8:28).
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
If Paul were in need, you’d never know it from his letters. He was content…to even be in prison, and that’s where he wrote the Book of Philippians, called by some as the “Joy Epistle” or letter. To us it might seem remarkable that he was content chained to guards and behind prison walls. In many of these Roman prisons, there were nights that were freezing cold, cockroaches everywhere, rats, human excrement, and little or no sunlight, day or night. There was likely every sort of stench and smell you could imagine….but Paul had to learn to be content. So where else to learn contentment than in such disconcerting circumstances? You don’t learn contentment when everything’s going well.
First Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
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The Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day thought gain was godliness. In fact, unless you were rich, you were not likely to be a Pharisee or Scribe or Temple leader. They ascribed wealth with God’s blessing, but the fact is, some people can’t handle success. And the Pharisees were such. Godliness with contentment is great gain. It’s like you’re telling God, “I am satisfied with what I have Father. You have blessed me with so very much. Thank you God.” A godly contentment is not dependent upon circumstances or suffering or lack of money.
Luke 3:14 “Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Early in John the Baptist’s ministry, there were dozens of converts who came to him but one Roman soldier asked, “What shall we do.” I find it very interesting that even Roman soldiers were drawn to John the Baptist. They must have seen that he was a godly man with a consuming passion for God and in his preaching, they must have been convicted. John the Baptist had the same counsel for the Roman soldiers that Paul did for Timothy; “be content with your wages.” In fact, both commands to the Roman soldiers had to do with money; be content with their wages but also, don’t extort money from anyone else by making false accusations or even threatening them. Roman soldiers had a history of doing that to their subjects.
Second Corinthians 12:10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
For the sake of Jesus Christ, Paul endured all his sufferings, and there was great suffering in this man of God. It didn’t matter because he learned to be content and even in his weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Paul realized that God is more glorified in weaker vessels since His power is more easily displayed and made visible. And that gives God all the glory and no credit for us. That’s as it should be (Psalm 115:1). Our weakness provides God an opportunity to show Himself strong.
[4]Paul the Apostle, by Rembrandt. 1657
Exodus 2:21 “And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah.”
It was written of Moses that he was the meekest man or earth (Num 12:3) and most meek people I know are content people. You do realize that meekness is not weakness. Meekness has been described as strength under control but meekness also shows contentedness because it tells God that you are satisfied in life. Moses went from the palace in Egypt to living in tents in the desert, but he was contented…contented with God.
Summary
It’s not really about a glass half full or half empty. It’s about being thankful you even have a glass. I do hope these Bible verses have made you feel a little more content with your life and can now rest more easily in God’s precious promises. As disciples of Christ, we are to be content even with persecutions, name calling, insults, and other such behavior because that brings a huge blessing (Matt 5:10-12). If we have truly found our contentment in Christ, then no insult or slander against us could ever take away our contentment. That’s because our contentment is not in things but in a Person, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: How to Live a Life of Contentment: 7 Christian Tips [5]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.