Contentment
Everyone knows what this word means. The Bible emphasizes the importance of contentment. Paul talks about how we are to be content in all circumstances. In Philippians, he tells the church that he does not need them to send more money, because he has learned to be content in ALL circumstances. This includes the time when he was rich and had plenty and when he was in jail with only the clothes on his back. Paul understood what it meant to be content.
I strongly believe that this is one of the most difficult things as an American, no, as a human being, that we face. Anywhere from the man living with his family in the multi-million dollar house, all the way down to the young woman with three kids, no spouse, no home, and no money. As someone who grew up in the middle class, it is easy to fall in two different directions. First, it is very easy to become jealous. One of the most deceiving phrases I have heard when it comes to this subject is "If I only had __________, then I would be happy." If I only had that new IPOD touch, then I would be happy. If I only had a better job that paid more and meant I worked less, then I would be happy! That must be the answer right?!?!?! Second, it can lead to being judgmental. I have heard many times people saying, they are poor because they don't care to work. Which in some situations might be true, while in others it is completely false.
Going back to the idea of "jealousy," my dad used to tell us this phrase that he heard others say, when they were asked how much is enough? The answer, "a little bit more." In other words, enough is NEVER enough. We always desire a little bit more. I think King Solomon understood this better than anyone. If you don't believe me, read Ecclesiastes. King Solomon literally had whatever he wanted at his fingertips. He had 700 wives, 300 concubine, all the money and fame he could have wanted, along with a crazy amount of wisdom. Was he happy? NO!! In fact, he said everything is meaningless! That is what the ENTIRE book of Ecclesiastes is about, right up until the very end of the book. At the end, the points out that yes, all of this is meaningless without God!
What does this look like to be content with what we have though? Does it mean never having dreams? Never having desires? In our country, the big thing is trying to "pursue the American Dream." What is the American Dream? Being as comfortable as I can be. Being successful, having a happy family, and having everything go exactly how I want it (my paraphrased definition). Is this wrong to have a successful job and a happy family? I don't believe it is wrong, as long as it is not our main goal. If this becomes the purpose in our life then it is wrong. I believe that is where the whole idea of contentment comes into play.
Looking at my own life, I have a job, a house over my head, a car that gets me from point A to point B, an amazing church, which has been such a blessing to be able to get involved with, and the best family and friends. As great as all of this stuff is, I still find myself wanting more. Whether it's a better job, nicer house, more expensive car, more friends, etc, I always find myself having to fight off this lie that I need something bigger and better.
Constantly I find myself having to be reminded, that my worth is not dependent of how successful I am at my job, nor is it dependent on how big of a house I live in. Going back to the question I asked earlier, "Does this mean I can't have dreams or aspirations," I really believe that God wants us to. In this though, our dreams and aspirations should be in line with what his are. Instead of asking how can I be more successful, asking how can I love someone today? How can I be selfless, instead of selfish?
As I continue to ponder this idea of being content, I think about the situation God has placed me in. I am a single young adult just one year out of college, with a full time job, volunteering at church with an amazing group of high school guys and an equally amazing group of 6th graders. I am completely blessed to have the people in my life that I do, and the opportunities that I do. I believe that being content is learning to live in the moment, not living in the past or the future. In Lamentations 3, it says that our blessings are new every morning. In other words, what God has blessed us with today, he may not bless us with tomorrow. But God does bless us every day, even if it maybe harder to see the blessings some days as opposed to others.
Learning to be content can be very difficult. That sinful desire within us telling us, you need more, you deserve more, is hard to fend off. We must battle with it everyday. We MUST overcome it.
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
I strongly believe that this is one of the most difficult things as an American, no, as a human being, that we face. Anywhere from the man living with his family in the multi-million dollar house, all the way down to the young woman with three kids, no spouse, no home, and no money. As someone who grew up in the middle class, it is easy to fall in two different directions. First, it is very easy to become jealous. One of the most deceiving phrases I have heard when it comes to this subject is "If I only had __________, then I would be happy." If I only had that new IPOD touch, then I would be happy. If I only had a better job that paid more and meant I worked less, then I would be happy! That must be the answer right?!?!?! Second, it can lead to being judgmental. I have heard many times people saying, they are poor because they don't care to work. Which in some situations might be true, while in others it is completely false.
Going back to the idea of "jealousy," my dad used to tell us this phrase that he heard others say, when they were asked how much is enough? The answer, "a little bit more." In other words, enough is NEVER enough. We always desire a little bit more. I think King Solomon understood this better than anyone. If you don't believe me, read Ecclesiastes. King Solomon literally had whatever he wanted at his fingertips. He had 700 wives, 300 concubine, all the money and fame he could have wanted, along with a crazy amount of wisdom. Was he happy? NO!! In fact, he said everything is meaningless! That is what the ENTIRE book of Ecclesiastes is about, right up until the very end of the book. At the end, the points out that yes, all of this is meaningless without God!
What does this look like to be content with what we have though? Does it mean never having dreams? Never having desires? In our country, the big thing is trying to "pursue the American Dream." What is the American Dream? Being as comfortable as I can be. Being successful, having a happy family, and having everything go exactly how I want it (my paraphrased definition). Is this wrong to have a successful job and a happy family? I don't believe it is wrong, as long as it is not our main goal. If this becomes the purpose in our life then it is wrong. I believe that is where the whole idea of contentment comes into play.
Looking at my own life, I have a job, a house over my head, a car that gets me from point A to point B, an amazing church, which has been such a blessing to be able to get involved with, and the best family and friends. As great as all of this stuff is, I still find myself wanting more. Whether it's a better job, nicer house, more expensive car, more friends, etc, I always find myself having to fight off this lie that I need something bigger and better.
Constantly I find myself having to be reminded, that my worth is not dependent of how successful I am at my job, nor is it dependent on how big of a house I live in. Going back to the question I asked earlier, "Does this mean I can't have dreams or aspirations," I really believe that God wants us to. In this though, our dreams and aspirations should be in line with what his are. Instead of asking how can I be more successful, asking how can I love someone today? How can I be selfless, instead of selfish?
As I continue to ponder this idea of being content, I think about the situation God has placed me in. I am a single young adult just one year out of college, with a full time job, volunteering at church with an amazing group of high school guys and an equally amazing group of 6th graders. I am completely blessed to have the people in my life that I do, and the opportunities that I do. I believe that being content is learning to live in the moment, not living in the past or the future. In Lamentations 3, it says that our blessings are new every morning. In other words, what God has blessed us with today, he may not bless us with tomorrow. But God does bless us every day, even if it maybe harder to see the blessings some days as opposed to others.
Learning to be content can be very difficult. That sinful desire within us telling us, you need more, you deserve more, is hard to fend off. We must battle with it everyday. We MUST overcome it.
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
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