Learning to be Content

Learning to be Content

By Don Walker basileia2009@yahoo.com


“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Tim. 6:8)

Having traveled to a number of Third World nations, I have had the opportunity to observe many believers that live far below the poverty level in the United States. I have been in the mountain villages in Mexico. I have been in remote areas of the Philippines, and in the former Soviet Union after the fall of communism. I have seen people living from “hand to mouth,” in primitive shelters, with little more than the clothes on their back. In all of these situations, the thing that struck me most forcibly was the obvious joy and contentment that these Christians possessed. Particularly, as I compared it to the lack of contentment evident among many believers in our much more prosperous nation. I found that contentment does not come through the things that we possess, but rather is an inward condition that is satisfied with what God has provided.

The prevailing discontentment, fueled by the advertising industry, has lead to a credit-driven economic system that now finds itself in crisis. Back in the 80’s, William Simon, then the Secretary of the Treasury, described America’s problem in one word – “More.”

Christians are not immune to this disease. There are Bible teachers, who have placed such emphasis on “prosperity” that many believers have forgotten that Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things that he possesses” (Luke 12:15). Paul warned us of those who would “imagine that godliness is a means of gain” (I Tim. 6:7).. In contrast Paul tells us that “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Tim. 6:8). Just as godliness is connected with contentment, discontentment is connected with unrighteousness. Paul observes that “those who desire to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction” (I Tim. 6:9).

Why is godliness related to contentment? Because the degree of my contentment determines the degree to which I am susceptible to fall into temptation. Discontentment makes me vulnerable to temptation. But, if I am content with what God has supplied in all areas of my life, temptation, though it will come, can be resisted. The tempter always strikes at the area of our perceived discontentment. Discontentment, whether it be with our spouse, our position, or our financial provision, is the “chink in our armor” that Satan looks for in his attack. Jesus, who lived in perfect contentment, said: “The ruler of this world is coming, but there is nothing in me” (John 14:30). Jesus knew that there was no area of vulnerability in His life where Satan could successfully strike. He was content with what His Father had commissioned Him to do, and He was content with the Father’s provision. He had no desire for something more or different. Therefore, Satan had nothing with which he could “bait” his trap.

The Scriptures show us that contentment is a skill to be learned. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned to be content” (Phil. 4:11). His lessons were not theoretical, but practical, as he experienced both “being filled and going hungry, both …having abundance and suffering need” (Phil. 4:12). Paul recognized as well that it was only by God’s grace that he could embrace these lessons, and says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Apart from Christ teaching us to learn what it means to be content, contentment is an elusive thing. We live under the false notion of “when,” as in “when I get enough money” or “when I get that job promotion” or “when I retire,” then “I will be content.” But when these goals are achieved we find ourselves no more content than before. Frustration and discontentment seem to be always “nipping at our heels” and like Mick Jagger said, “I can’t get no satisfaction.” This is Man’s dilemma. Contentment seems to be always just out of reach.

But God’s grace is sufficient (II Cor. 12:9). In this time of economic distress, I believe that Christ can bring us to a place of learning what it means to be truly content. His promise to us remains that if we seek first His Kingdom, and His righteousness, all of our needs shall be supplied (Matt. 6:33). Discontentment is the result of a self-focused life that seeks to find fulfillment apart from God. Contentment is the result of a Kingdom-focused life that rests in the agape love of the Father.