Contentment

We are living in a society in which there is little contentment with the children of God in the world. They aren’t satisfied with their wages; they aren’t satisfied with the car they drive or the house they live in but are always wanting more. If it were not for the grace of God, we would have none of these things that we take so much for granted. Paul made tents to provide for his necessities but there were those saints that assisted him in his ministry. The church at Philippi had delayed their assistance to him but Paul asserts that he is not angry or dissatisfied. Paul says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11). It would be wonderful if we all would learn this lesson. Whether we are in a state of prosperity or in a state of adversity, yet we have the Lord who is all sufficient. These two opposites, prosperity and adversity, teaches something that could not otherwise be learned. Solomon says, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” (Eccl. 7:14).

When there is discontentment, it leads to the sin of covetousness which we are commanded to avoid. There is no need to be covetous because we have the promises of God that are yea and amen. The Hebrew letter declares, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5). Here in this scripture, we are instructed in something to be without and that is covetousness. Then we are commanded to be content with that we “have” so it is not that we do not have anything. We may not have anything but life itself but that is something to praise the Lord for and result in a form of contentment. How can we have this contentment? We have it by remembering the very promise of God who said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” We may be forsaken by mother, father, sister or brother, but we will not be forsaken by the Lord Himself. He has promised, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” (Psalm 27:10).

It is a blessing from God to have this world’s goods for our temporal enjoyment but let it not be our first love. Solomon tells us, and he should know, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” (Eccl. 5:10). Job was blessed with earthly wealth and a large family but that was all taken away in his trial of affliction but he maintained a trust in God. He said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15). Paul writes to Timothy and informs him what true gain is in this life which continues to be brief, no matter how long we may live. Paul writes, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (I Tim. 6:7-8).

If we have food and raiment, we should be content but the children of Israel weren’t content with this. They began to loath what God had provided in the form of “manna” and desired flesh to eat. God gave them that, so much that it ran out their ears but still they were not content. God gave them footwear and clothes that lasted forty years in the wilderness, but were they ever content with this ample provision? No, they even began to question God by asking, “…Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Psalm 78:19). God can furnish a table anywhere He chooses and David even says, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23:5).

We are all prone to not be content at times because the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. However, when we apply the word of God in our lives and trust in Him, we will be more content as we trust in Him and he will direct our paths which possibly will lead to contentment. Solomon tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6). May God give us grace and may we use that grace to be more content in our lives and thus avoid much worry and distress.–October 10, 2014–Elder Larry Wise

Facebook Twitter Email

About wisepb

Pastor: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church
This entry was posted in Church. Bookmark the permalink.