Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Precious Jewel Called Contentment

1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10 – But godliness with contentment is great gain, 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. But 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. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

 

THEME OF THE DAY:  THE PRECIOUS JEWEL CALLED CONTENTMENT.  After reading today’s scripture, right now, not yesterday, not anticipating it will be so tomorrow, but right now, at this very moment, may we say, “I am completely contented in my heart and life that there is food on my table and clothing in my closet. I am satisfied with these necessary provisions from God?”  And to go further, may we with clear transparency before God say we have not one ounce of envy towards others, who they are or what they have?  Still yet one more soul-searching question, Are there any areas of “I wish” or discontent in my life over things I don’t have, relationships I wish I had, places I wish to live, or job I wish to have?

 

Now I know I pointed those questions to each reader individually, but I face them too!  Contentment is a big issue in the Christian life. It is also an area of intense warfare for one of the fallouts from sin entering our world is discontent.  And it won’t be eradicated from our hearts in this life.  Oh, it can be suppressed and won over, but it takes work, but worth the work.  For to be fully content in where God has placed us in life and with what God has given to us in life is a precious jewel in the heart of the Christian. Alongside humility, contentment is to be prized, cherished, and safeguarded at all costs for it is one of the highest marks of Christian maturity and growth in Christ.

 

As for this precious jewel, two things.  First, we don’t become Christians and God immediately “spiritually zaps” us with contentment.  The Apostle Paul would tell us by personal experience this is learned not given – Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content (Philippians 4:11). Often we learn contentment the hard way.  God will allow us to attempt to find contentment in the things and people of the world only to finally find the painful futility of such a journey leading us to true contentment – God alone.  To really feel this lesson, find a nice quiet spot without distractions, read the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes and let King Solomon tell us about the world’s inability to deliver contentment to the human heart.

A second thing about the precious jewel of contentment is where it is found. We already established it is not in the world, but it is not found only in what God does in our lives.  Don’t lose me here.  God provides us all the richest of blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).  And yes, they are marvelous, but God wants us to find contentment, true contentment in Himself, not what He does or gives.  Notice the link between contentment and God’s Person in the following scripture – 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” (Hebrews 13:5).  And that is why contentment is such a precious jewel.  It is God, Himself, satisfying the hearts of His children to the point they may say without reservation or deception, “I have food and clothing. Content I am because I also have Him who gave me both and fulfills all the yearnings in my soul.”

 

PRAYER: “Father, make me see, believe, and rely upon the truth that full contentment in life is only in Your Son.”

 

QUOTE: “Contentment is one of the highest marks of spiritual maturity while its opposite, discontent, of spiritual infancy.”

 

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

 

Pastor Jim