Choosing Contentment

Life is full of choices. Some are, obviously, more significant than others. Today let's consider one very important choice we all have to make. It’s a choice we face every day. It’s a choice that can be fueled by emotion, or reason. It’s a choice that has deep spiritual consequences. It’s a choice that has an impact on your mood, your relationships, your actions, your finances, and possibly your health.

Today I want to talk about the choice of whether to be content or not.

Contentment is a big-picture kind of attitude, and the Bible has a lot to say about its benefits. For the Apostle Paul, being contented meant having the ability to weather all of life’s storms without fear or worry. In Philippians 4:11, Paul writes,

“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.”

Well, what is Paul’s secret to being content in all circumstances? How does he do that? Proverbs 19:23 holds the answer: The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Like Paul, you and I can choose to be content in every circumstance, rich or poor, happy or sad, easy or difficult – because, as Christ-followers, our position in Christ never changes. Circumstances ebb and flow like the stock market, but who we are in Christ never budges one bit. We are saved by grace, and our eternal future is secure. This can – and should – change our perspective on everyday life. Let’s look at that Proverbs verse again: The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Fear in this case means trust, honor, awe. We trust, obey and respect the Lord because He is our Master, our Holy Lord. This trust leads to life, or flourishing. It’s like spiritual confidence! Then, as a result of fearing the Lord, the verse says, “one rests content, untouched by trouble.” I don’t think that means we won’t face trouble, I think it means trouble can’t destroy us, spiritually. Thus, we can choose to be content.

Another way to understand your choice – to be content or not – is to understand what the opposite looks like. The opposite of contentment is to be dissatisfied, disappointed, and unhappy. It’s actually worse than that. Proverbs 27 verse 20 says, “Death and Destruction are never satisfied", so being discontented is right down there with death and destruction. Not something you want in your life.

In Ecclesiastes 5:10, we see another problem with discontent – a lack of meaning.

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

If what we make, what we accumulate, or what we have is all that matters, then we can never really be contented, and we’re courting “death and destruction” in our hearts. The Bible confirms that in God’s economy, these material things are meaningless by themselves. Instead, as Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, we are supposed to “Seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (meaning the things we really need) will be given to you as well.”

The question to ask, then, is: do you choose to be content? It is the better way to live, understanding that you can rest in the Lord because He is “enough”, no matter what circumstances you’re facing. After all, God can satisfy all your needs, according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

As you consider your choice – to be content or not to be content today, I pray for you from Psalm 90:14, that God will satisfy you in the morning with his unfailing love, that you may sing for joy and be glad all your days.

Standing with you,

Carolyn