From Webster’ Dictionary: Contentment – Having the desires limited to that which one has.
Synonym: Satisfied – State of being content.
Let’s look at what the bible has to say about contentment.
Phil 4:11-13
“Not that I complain of want, for I have learned , in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”
Luke 3:14
“Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, AND BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WAGES.’”
Heb 13:5-6
“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you.’ Hence we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?’”
1Tim 6:6-12
“There is great gain in GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT; 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 shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that same have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of witnesses.”
vs. 17-19
“As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.”
2 Cor 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.”
Let’s look at each verse and share what it means to you and what practical application you get from each.
I shared the story of Sam and Bjorn and the little tractor with our envy lesson but I think it is appropriate also with contentment. We had been watching Sam while Cindy and John were away for a weekend. He had been with us two days when Bjorn came out to visit. Bjorn began riding the toy tractor. Thereupon Sam came in and said that Bjorn wouldn’t share. I told Sam that he had been here for two days and not even gotten on the tractor. Why did he now all of the sudden want to ride it so badly.
This is so true with children, but isn’t it also with us. Perhaps we never wanted a certain thing, but when our friend has it, or we see how beautiful something is in her house, we suddenly must have it.
Was this not the problem Eve had in the very beginning of the fall from grace. Read Gen 3:1-6. It seems that Eve really hadn’t thought about eating the fruit of the forbidden tree until Satan talked to her about not being able to have it. Then she SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the EYES, and she TOOK the fruit and ATE some and then gave some to her husband. Isn’t that a progression of the way we are led from contentment also?
Something we must remember – We can drive envy and jealousy from our lives, hearts and minds, but then there is a void which must be filled with contentment – or envy and jealousy can easily return.
Sometimes we must take drastic measures to ensure contentment in our lives. I think Matt 18:7-9 gives us some thoughts to consider. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”
How can we apply this in a practical way? If our feet causes us to walk into a bank and rob it or if our hands reach out to steal from others or if our eyes cause us to lust and pursue that feeling, it is better to be maimed and crippled and blind and not be able to do those things, rather than to be able to do them and be thrown into hell.
How can these drastic measures be applied to being content? If the mall is too much of a temptation for us. And we are not content when we see all the things that would be nice in our homes or in our closets, then it is better to not go to the mall, unless absolutely necessary. And then to pray before going and only buy the specific things you have on your list. Perhaps you will need to shop by mail and catalogs and such.
Maybe you can’t resist nurseries this time of year. Perhaps you will have to stay away if you go beyond your specified budget. [Editors Note: This made me smile for if anyone knew my Grandma Rosy personally would remember that nurseries and flowers were a weakness for her:)]
This principle could hold true for whatever it is that draws you away from contentment. You might have to stop doing some very innocent thing if it brings you into trouble.
What are some things you can think of in this line?
May we pray that the Lord will fill our lives with contentment, as wives, mothers, homemakers and whatever we are involved in whether it is outside or in the home.
May we learn how to experience Godliness with Contentment.