Concerning Contentment

Perhaps one of the hardest and most important lessons a Christian must learn is contentment. We are so accustomed to getting what we want, that we think that it should always be that way.

When we are discontent we are being selfish. Almost every time a person is discontent they are so because they are only thinking about themselves.

Paul says “… for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:10) Should we be any different? No! We should strive to be content in all things.

If you notice, Paul says he had “learned” contentment. Contentment is a virtue that can be very difficult to come by. Discontentment can be difficult to overcome. We can not hope to overcome it without Christ. But with His help we can overcome it as well as anything else, for “I can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Why should we overcome discontent? After all not one of the Ten Commandments or anything in Jesus teachings say, “Thou shalt be content”. Perhaps it is not said in those words, but I think I can give sufficient evidence from the Bible, that God wants us to be content.

First an illustration from the book of Numbers: The people of Israel were not content with what they had to eat; they wanted “flesh”. For their discontentment they may have seemed rewarded at first – the LORD sent them much quail to eat. In all reality however they were severely punished. The LORD sent a plague among them and many of the people perished. The LORD was punishing His people for being discontent and complaining.

In Matthew 6:10 Jesus taught that we should pray “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Now certainly we are to mean what we pray, or we would be hypocrites. If we really ask God’s will to be done, then we ought to be content to abide by His will even when we do not like it.

Jesus, shortly before His death on the cross, prayed that His Father would take away the impending trial, however He always ended with asking the Father’s will to be done. He was content that the Father’s will was best.

Everything that happens, no matter what it is, is in God’s hands. If we love the LORD then “all things” will “work together for good…” Romans 8:28 If all is in His hands and we really wish His will to be done, it is wrong to be discontent when life does not go our way.

One more example will suffice. The tenth commandment, “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor’s.” Deuteronomy 5:21 This is telling the Israelites to be content with what they already have and not to wish for the possessions of others.

God may not have said “Thou shalt be content”, but He let us know that content is what He wished us to be.

If we are discontent, it deprives us of cheerfulness and therefore we will not be a “light” to “shine before men,” that they may see our good deeds “and praise” our “Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16) Discontentment dulls our light.

Let us pray that God will help us to overcome this enemy discontent, thereby bringing glory to His name! May we all be able to say with Paul, “… for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Contentment is a blessing
That some do not enjoy.
It is a useful tool
We often don’t employ.

For we can not all alone
Content and happy be,
But we must ask God’s help –
And He’s promised to help thee.

He will help us be content
Even in times of trouble,
And we will show forth in the world
With our sadness turned to stubble.

To the KING be all the glory!