Seeking Contentment in Life
Published by Stanley Pouw in 2010 · 5 September 2010
Surely one of the greatest causes of believers not having joy in their lives is a lack of contentment. Contentment is an illusive commodity today! Never, it seems, have so many wanted so much and found so little contentment once they got it.
This is hardly surprising when we consider that we are bombarded on a daily basis with advertisements whose sole purpose is to breed discontent so that we will buy their product. Do you have enough for retirement? You deserve your new car right now! Invest in gold because its value will increase, guaranteed!
Often the reason we are not content is that what we have is not enough. I call it the “envy” trap where we always compare ourselves to others. Look at Paul who was in prison at that time and listen to what he says in this regard.
In contrast with the widespread discontent of our world, the Apostle Paul spoke on the subject of contentment in his letter to the church at Philippi. Contentment is a biblical word that God wants for us.
Philippians 4:11-13, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
In fact, the Bible has quite a bit more to say about this matter of being content. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, "Godliness with contentment is great gain," and then in verse 8 Paul said, "And having food and clothing, let us be content." Hebrews 13:5 says, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with whatever you have, for He said I will never leave you or forsake you."
I read a while back about South West Airlines. After the tragedy of September 11th, South West has been the only big carrier to still be making money. All the other airlines are swimming in red ink and have either declared bankruptcy or are thinking about it – in order to try to avoid their creditors.
So, in an atmosphere where most airlines are struggling to survive, SW’s employees have relative job security. And yet, some of the workers in one of its unions are threatening to strike for higher wages. Why? Because they envy comparable employees in one of those other airlines (that’s failing) who make more per hour than they do.
Envy is a driving force in the lives of many people. It pushes them to be competitive, hard working and successful. So, you would expect that such a motivation would be a “good thing.” But it’s not.
What lies at the heart of envy? The heart of envy is the belief that we deserve better than we’ve got. On the other hand, what Paul says is be humble, gracious, don't demand anything, give charity to those who are committing crimes against you, give mercy toward the failures of others, you'll be a stable person. Contentment comes when I have no demands for myself. Then if I get something, fine. If I don't, fine. I'm not concerned about me.
I recently saw a seminar on Estate Planning where they talked about “Revocable Living Trusts.” They’re kind of like a will but with some advantages. The lawyer who presented the seminar told of an instance where a couple of sisters had come to his office to challenge the fact that their brother had received the family farm in their parents’ trust.
The lawyer had seen this type of thing before, and he was still troubled by their greed. “Do you know why your parents left the farm to your brother?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied. “He had taken care of them in their old age, and had worked the farm for them.” “Had you ever helped with the farm?” he asked. “No.”
“Had you ever helped your brother to take care of your parents?” “No.” “So, why do you think that you want a part of the farm that your parents left to him?” “Because it’s the family farm, and we believe we deserve it.”
The lawyer smiled and then said: “You have every right to contest this trust, but you have to realize that this trust has a clause in it. That clause warns that should this trust ever be contested and that challenge be lost, those who contest the trust will lose whatever inheritance they might have had.
In other words, if you contest this trust and lose – your share of the inheritance will be given to your brother. Those ladies left his office and he never from them again. We often think that we deserve better, and therefore, whatever we have to do to get what we deserve is somehow justified - whether it is ends up destroying our friendships, our jobs, or our families.
Proverbs 14:30 tells us: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” In other words: if you’re not content – it’s a sign of envy. You might not be envious of what a neighbor or friend has. It may be something that’s on the store shelves.
Remember, envy arises from comparing what we have with what others have. And the end result of that type of comparing is always going to be dissatisfaction. Christians only should compare how their lives would be with God compared to without God’s blessings.
Paul was content, because of satisfaction with little. Look at verse 11, "Not that I speak from want," in other words, Oh I rejoiced when your gift came but not because I needed it. “For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."
Materialism is a sin. Searching for contentment in your life through material goods is idolatry no less than if you were to actively worship an idol. In fact, I think materialism is the main idol worship of Americans.
Instead of relying upon God’s strength and living our life with the strength he provides, we buy into the lie that if I had a nicer home, car, bike, toy, you name it – we will be happy. We then pursue those things no mater the cost, amassing large debt along the way. If you can’t say “I can be content in all circumstances – and you know materialism is the cause – repentance is called for.
Want to be free from the love of money and the grip of materialism? Then commit to giving to God first – and then pray a simple prayer whenever you are about to purchase something. “Lord, should I make this purchase?”
We live in a culture that is not content, ever, with little or with much. It appears that the more people have the more discontent they are. Usually the richest people in the world are also the most miserably and unhappy. They feel they never have enough and then worry about all their investments and being overtaken by others.
Contentment is independent from circumstances. That's the key idea. Verse 12, "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
Contentment is based on our relationship with our Creator, because He is the only one that can give us peace and contentment in whatever condition you are in. He can give you peace while you’re laying on your deathbed, because death is not the end but just the beginning of a life forever full of contentment with God.
Contentment requires reacting to problems with thankful prayer. In verse 6, you remember, Paul said instead of worrying about things, pray. But he said, pray with a thankful heart.
You show me a person who has peace, the peace that the Spirit of God produces, joy, a person who is humble, you show me a person who believes truly in God and you show me a person who is thankful in everything and I'll show you a person who is spiritually content.
No matter what persecution, no matter what temptation comes your way, first of all, you can be thankful that in it there is the purpose of God. Right? God is accomplishing some purpose. All things are working together for good according to His purpose. In it also there is the perfecting work of God.
What was the secret? It comes in verse 13 where Paul says “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Whether you are experiencing plenty or want in your life right now – it is HIS strength that will provide the contentment you need. It is HIS power that will help you find hope even when you lost your job.
When you are spending time on a regular basis praying to Jesus, studying God’s word, and surrendering your life to the power of the Holy Spirit, you’re going to find that no matter what else is going on in your life – you will feel more content.
Why? Because when you’re living your life connected to Jesus Christ, you’ll begin to understand that nothing happens to your life without His knowledge. Nothing that happens, either good or bad, can take you away from God’s love.
Contentment comes from living a life where you understand your priorities – and everything in your life pales in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus. When this becomes true in your life – all of a sudden having the best material things; and needing to receive everything you desire in life become so much less important.
If you will live your life relying upon the power that God provides – you will find that your daily circumstances will have less and less control over your state of mind – and contentment will begin to be the norm of your life.
The point is this; the Apostle Paul had confidence in God's sovereign providence. You see that all through is life. He could do without and waiting on the Lord be content. He knew it was all in God's hands and if God gave a proper season and a proper time and a proper opportunity then those things would come.
Providence is a term to indicate that God provides, is connected to the term provide. That God provides but it really means more than that, it means that He orchestrates everything to accomplish His purpose.
Let's put Philippians 4:5-6 together, "The Lord is near! 6 be anxious for nothing," Your view of God is what stabilizes you. The Lord is near in terms of His immediate presence. That's what is meant in Psalm 119:151, "Thou art near, O Lord."
When you whisper a prayer, He's near enough to hear it. When you need His strength and His power, He's near enough to provide it. Now what is the result of knowing the Lord is near? Be anxious for nothing. What am I going to be worrying about? Is there something God can't handle?
Your problem is you're anxious because you don't believe God. That's the bottom line. Matthew 6:31-32, “So don't be anxious then, don't say, "What do we eat? What do we drink? But your heavenly Father knows you need all these things."
Matthew 6:33-34, "Just seek His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. And do not be anxious for tomorrow. Tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."