“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
“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.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10
“Some have wandered away from the faith”
Have you unintentionally “wandered away from the faith”? In
today’s society it is so easy for us to wander away. There are temptations
coming at us from all sides. The desire for more is at every turn. I am afraid
if we are not intentional about contentment we will miss out on one of God’s
greatest blessings.
If we want to experience true contentment and joy, we must
evaluate our lives. We need to take a deep look at our motives and actions
behind everything we do. We must consider are we living for God or for
ourselves. We say we have surrendered our lives to the Lord, but do our actions
reflect our words. This takes some quiet time of honest reflection.
Confession. Every day we need to recognize and confess our
lack of contentment. We need to honestly apologize for our lack of contentment
and ask God to gives us strength to rely on him for true joy.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 says to “discipline yourself for the purpose
of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is
profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also
for the life to come.”
Then, Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 says “Not that I am
speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be
content. I know how to be brought low,
and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the
secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens
me.”
So how do we practically “discipline” ourselves and “learn”
contentment?
First and foremost, we must rely on God to give us strength.
We cannot learn contentment on our own strength. In meeting with God each day
we open up ourselves to hear from him. To be led and taught by a God who promises
to meet with you. By keeping Christ as the center of our lives, we are laying a
foundation for contentment to grow.
Second, we must identify where we are placing our trust. If
we are chained to this world instead of Christ contentment we will be robbed. What
are you chained too? Is it financial success, worry, entertainment, comparison,
busyness, status, fear, the next big thing, the next trip, self, desire for
control, keeping up with the Jones’ mentality, fear of losing worldly status, self-preservation,
pride, jealousy, bitterness? What is keeping you from letting go and giving
your all to Jesus? What causes you to
lose sight of eternity? What keeps you from Jesus? Ask yourself the question if
I let go of pursuing these things what would I do with my time? What would Christ
lead me to do?
Contentment is available to you and me right now in this
very moment. It is a mindset. It is a choice to choose. Stop comparing your
life to others. You be you. Be who God created you to be. Discover your gifts,
talents, shape and abilities and use them for Gods glory. Don’t be someone
else.
Start practicing gratitude. I once read that we should pick
one object or thing in our house and thank God for it each day. For example, “Thank
you God for this laundry machine. Wow! Without this machine I would have to do
all this laundry by hand. Thank you for the enormous amount of time I am saving
by having this machine. I realize people all over the world do not have a washing
machine. Please be with the men and women who are washing their clothes by hand
at this very moment. Strengthen their arms and backs as they scrub and wash.
Give them comfort as they work. Help the weather be pleasant for them today as
I’m certain they must hang their clothes to dry. Forgive me for being
discontent with my mountain of laundry when there are people with so little.”
Wants versus Need Challenge.
I recently made a
commitment to strive for the next few months and maybe even longer to not buy
anything for myself that I do not need. It’s a form of fasting for me to help
me refocus on all that I have. I want to LEARN true contentment. I want God to
meet all my needs. I want my eyes to be open to how often I allow material possessions
to meet a need rather than God.
Here are some questions I am asking myself before each
purchase. Is this a need or a want? Do I already have something like this at
home that will fulfill this purpose? What’s your motive for buying this today?
If you don’t need it don’t buy it.
I am going to practice this for the next few months. Would you
like to join me? Let’s go to battle for
contentment. I am excited to see how God is going to work through this
challenge in my own life. Let’s practice
enjoying what we already have been so abundantly given. Not just material
possessions, but relationships, health, nature, and more. You add to the list.
What are you grateful for today. Praying
for you and me as we seek more of Him!
“Now to him who is
able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the
power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the
good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”1 Timothy 6:11-12
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be
haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who
richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich
in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure
for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold
of that which is truly life."1 Timothy 6:17-19
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than
pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who
have been trained by it. Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen
your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame
may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12: 11-14
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