DISCONTENT

                We live in a world built on discontent. Every day we are being told that whatever we have is not enough. The message that we hear is be dissatisfied with what you have. You deserve better. There is a commercial for a particular cell phone company that plays on this discontent. They show images of people enviously comparing their cell phones with the new phones of others. There is another commercial that shows two men grilling together. One has the latest smart phone, while the other has a three year old phone. The message is clear; be discontent with what you have. Whatever you have right now is not good enough.      

                The Bible warns us about falling into the trap of discontent. The quest for the newest, the best, the biggest robs us of the joy of life. Always striving for something new, we fail to appreciate and enjoy what we already have. Never being satisfied leads us into jealousy, greed, and pain.

                The Bible warns us that striving after more and more of the things of this world is an insatiable hunger. Solomon wrote about this in Ecclesiastes 5:10. Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. The gap between more and enough is infinite. As long as we are striving for more and more, we will never be satisfied with what we have.

                Living a life of discontent plagues us with self-inflicted wounds. We cause ourselves pain and then curse life for being unfair.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Discontent clouds our perspective and causes us to make foolish decisions. Discontent can become a driving force that will temp us to compromise our values in order to get what we want. Discontent is a barrier to growing in our relationship with Christ.

                Paul gives us the antidote for discontent in 1 Timothy 6:6-8. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

                We can counter discontent by putting our trust fully in Christ. When we put Christ on the throne of our life, we can rest in his love and care. Jesus told us to not waste our time worrying about the stuff of the world. Instead he said to focus on trusting Him. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33

                We can counter discontent by holding onto the things of this world loosely. God has blessed us with material things for our good, but when we attach too much importance to them they become idols. Paul reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God. We can take none of the material stuff of the world with us when we die. So value it, use it, but hold it loosely. Corrie Tenboom was imprisoned in a concentration camp during WWII for hiding Jews from the Nazis. She lost everything in that experience. Later she said this. “I have learned to hold onto the things of the world loosely, because it hurts so much when God has to pry my fingers off.” Good advice for a discontented world.

                We can counter discontent by rejoicing in what we have. So often in life we forfeit the present for some hoped for future. We fail to see the gift in our hands because we are focused on wanting something else. Paul said, be content with what you have. Enjoy the gift in your hand to the full. I know as a parent, I am more likely to give my children another gift, if they value the one I have already given to them. Paul lived out his own advice. He saw both sides of the stuff equation. He was able to keep his balance because he kept his focus on Christ. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

                The fight against discontent is a daily struggle. Each day we need to renew our commitment to trust Christ with the substance of our life. The best way to do this is to begin every day with thanksgiving to God. Each day is a gift. Each breath is a gift. Every good thing we have is a gift from God. By giving thanks we value the giver over the gift. That is truly the essence of contentment.

    Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18