The Power of Contentment
Our culture isn’t prone to encourage us to be content or satisfied with our lives. The messaging is designed to do just the opposite, make us discontent so that we will buy the next thing that promises to fulfill us. In this episode of Stewardship Leader, we talk with Blair Graham, Stewardship Pastor at The Summit Church, about the reasons for our discontented lives and what we can do to learn and live with contentment.
Contentment vs happiness
Happiness is a temporary feeling of satisfaction one gets when someone attains what is considered good.
Contentment is a state of mind.
Contentment means I know I am at the center of God’s will. I change the things I can. The things I can’t change I am willing to accept and be content because I know the One who is in control.
Philippians 3:8 - Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
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.
What can we learn from the Bible about contentment?
Solomon’s Example
Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil [work] with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
Paul’s Example
o Philippians 4:11-14 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.
Contentment is learned
Hebrews 13:5-6
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. (a promise from God) ” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
How do we personally find contentment?
Romans 12:1-2 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Next Steps:
Where are you? Are you content in this season? What lies are you believing that don’t lead to contentment?
Like Paul, how do you need to learn to be content? What do you need to remind yourself about what you’ve already received in Christ?
PRAY seek God’s word to renew your mind in the word.
Supporting Scriptures:
Ps 119:57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.
Proverb 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
Luke 3:12-14 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
Psalm 34:10 - The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing