Contentment
1 Timothy 6:6-7: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. Because we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
Philippians 4:11: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Hebrews 13:5: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
It has been said that being satisfied with what you have makes a person rich and content. God wants you to be content and he gave you all you have in order that you would seek him, thank him and be content with what he has given you. It is very unfortunate that many Christians today rarely feel content with what they have received from God. Paul learned through trials, temptations and blessings from God how to be content. When he was making tents, earning a living, he was content and on the Sabbath he preached about Jesus. When he was shipwrecked or in prison he preached about Jesus. He did not find contentment in what he had or where he lived but in his relationship with Jesus. It is difficult for Christians to not pay attention to their physical surroundings and needs. God knows before we ask what we need. I have learned to be content through the trials God has brought into my own life. Whether I lost a job due to Covid or found one a year later, I kept going to God daily in thanksgiving for his provisions for my life and that of my family.
We desire to be good stewards of all that the Lord has given us. We have all been given time and talents and some treasures to be used for the edification of the church. Whatever wealth we have in time talents or treasures belong to God who gave them to us. As stewards who represent God we will be held accountable for how we handle the truth we have received about Jesus as well as the earthly treasures and the use of our time.
But remember Psalm 62:10 “…though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Rather let us remind one another what Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” Where our treasures are, that is also where our hearts will be.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” True contentment only comes to Christians through their heartfelt satisfaction in their relationship with God rather than our evaluation of our temporal (and temporary) circumstances and possessions. We who call ourselves Christians should seek to find our contentment within our relationship with Jesus. Then it would not matter what our current circumstances were, we would be thankful to God for everything we have, which we now know is God’s will for us. Whatever material blessings we have, they have all come from God’s desire for us to have them (food, shelter, clothing, etc.). If God did not want us to have them he would (and sometimes does) remove them from our hands. Let us therefore hold everything with an open hand as God adds and removes “Stuff” as he desires and let us be happy with what he has provided for us. Remember always that your relationship with Jesus is more important than all the stuff in your life.