TRUE CONTENTMENT

 1 Timothy 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

                 We have been watching a show on TV called “Log Cabin Living.” In each episode a couple is looking for a log cabin to buy. A realtor shows them three cabins and they usually choose to buy one of them. The cabins that are featured are amazing. Many have cathedral ceilings and amazing views. Most of them are modern and spacious, even extravagant. Yet in almost every case, the potential buyers are dissatisfied with some aspect of the cabin. The appliances are not new enough. There is carpet instead of hardwood floors. The kitchen is too small. The house is too close to the road. They can see other houses from the windows. Instead of focusing on all of the positives, they tend to zero in on the few things they don’t like.

                As a society, we are no longer content with having a home to live in. We must have an amazing home. We are no longer content with having food on our table. It must be gourmet food and at least trendy food. We are no longer content to have a closet filled with clothes. We have to have all of the latest fashions. In many ways, our affluence has fostered a continuous sense of discontent. No matter what we have, we are not satisfied. As soon as we acquire the latest whatever, we are looking on to the next thing to come down the line.

                There are many problems with living a life of discontent. One of the greatest is that we never fully appreciate and enjoy what we have. We actually devalue the things we have by constantly comparing them with the thing we do not have. From a purely materialistic point of view, this fosters an insatiable consumer mentality. But it also does damage to our relationships.

                Too many marriages collapse because they don’t match up to what is depicted on TV, the movies, or in the latest gossip magazine. People are programmed to compare their spouse to others. Consequently, when there is tension or struggle in a marriage, they go looking for a better partner. Of course, the sheen quickly fades from that new relationship and discontent settles in again.

                Paul tells us in 1 Timothy that true contentment comes from keeping our perspective right.

    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. 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 6:6-10)

                Paul is not advocating an ascetic lifestyle. He is calling us to adjust our focus. When we focus on the treasures of this world, we will be led into a life of disappointment and discontent. As it says in Ecclesiastes 5:10, Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

                Paul is telling us to learn to be content with what we have been given. Until we learn to be content where we are right now, we will never be content in any situation in the future. God has blessed us in many amazing ways. We need to learn to not just receive these blessing, but celebrate them as well. As Paul says in Philippians 4, I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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.

                Our true contentment is found in our relationship with Christ. When we seek Him first in our life, all the other aspects of our life fall into place. We begin to see just how blessed we really are. We can begin to celebrate what we have. Contentment is really a choice. That choice is directed by our expectations. Those expectations are shaped by the dominant voices in our life. If we allow the voices of the world to dominate our thinking, we will be discontented. If we allow the voice of Christ to dominate our thinking, we will discover true contentment.

Matthew 6:31-33

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.