Discontentment grows as…
- A man dreams of a better paying job.
- A teenager impatiently waits to drive.
- A wife complains, “My husband works too much.”
- A mother sighs over all the work she has to do in her household.
The media brings us endless advertisements to awaken a desire in us to purchase more.
Yet the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” So, at what stage in the Christian walk of life are we fully content? Is it only the older and mature Christians who are content? Does it take a lifetime to learn contentment?
As Christians saved by grace, we are to be spiritually content throughout our lives, since those who eat and drink of Jesus will hunger and thirst no more (John 6:35). The longing for peace, joy, and eternal life has all been satisfied in our Savior Jesus on the day we were saved. Yet the race of faith had only begun, and Paul speaks of pressing on to the prize of eternal life with Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14).
We know that Christians are to bear good fruit and perform good works. Therefore, there is a certain tension in our spiritual lives between resting in the Lord and working for the Lord. This tension requires a proper balance by listening to the Holy Spirit, studying the Word and being guided by an active prayer life. With God’s help we will find a healthy balance between growing to be more effective Christians and serving the Lord while being content.
Jesus gave the woman who anointed Him with costly oil this testimony, “She has done what she could” (Mark 14:8). Led by the Spirit, she poured out her most valuable oil to anoint Jesus prior to His death. May we as Christians learn to trust His leadings, act upon them, be blessed and grow through them as this woman did. Therein lies spiritual contentment; knowing one is doing God’s will and resting in Him like a child in the Father’s arms.
The world around us will try to sow the seeds of discontent in our hearts. Paul warns us not to strive for earthly riches and fall into temptation and harmful lusts, but rather to be content with what God blesses us with (1 Timothy 6:6-10). Certainly, we can save and invest wisely, but we are to avoid the love of money and be generous in our giving. Christians are to walk in faith knowing “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v. 6). Are we content with our homes, our relationships, our marriages, our health, our job, our finances, and our church?
Our contentment in the Lord is not situation dependent. Paul, although imprisoned for his faith, had learned that there is grace for whatever situation in life he found himself in and he accepts this with contentment in Philippians 4:11-12:
“… for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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.”
He continues by sharing that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (v. 13). As we rest in Jesus and trust His leading, we will experience that our “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (v. 19). What a wonderful promise in days where there is loss, heartache, and sadness. I have often been blessed when visiting the elderly, the sick, and even those in wheelchairs, whose faith did not waver, and their contentment in the Lord was evident.
There is yet another promise for God’s children who are content to accept in faith whatever condition life brings, both the good and the difficult days. God’s conditional promise in Hebrews 13:5 is “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Learn to rest in Him and be content, while at the same time actively pursuing His will for your life.
Harry Klinger
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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