CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2021.

SUBJECT : CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN!

Memory verse: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (First Timothy 6 vs 6.)

READ: Philippians 4 vs 10 - 14:

4:10: But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

4:11: Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content;

4:12: I know how to be abased. And I know 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.

4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

4:14: Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

INTIMATION:

To be content is to be satisfied, quietly happy with oneself. And it is in satisfaction that thanksgiving evolves. True contentment—satisfaction—lies in our perspective, our priorities, and our source of power. For instance, the apostle Paul was able to be content (get along happily) in any circumstances he faced because of his perspective of life, his priorities in life, and the source of his power. He knew how to be content whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. The secret was drawing on Christ’s power for strength. 

Paul was content because he could see life from God’s point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities right, and he was grateful for everything God had given him. Paul had detached himself from the nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal. 

Discontentment comes when your attention shifts from what you have to what you don't have. When this happens you begin to forget what God has done for you, and is wrapped up in what God hasn't done for you. For instance, in the wilderness the Israelites murmured, and were dissatisfied with what God has done for them. At the instance of this they forgot to give thanks to God for all He has done for them, and is still doing for them: “...So the children of Israel also wept again and said: "who will give us meet to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!" (Numbers 11 vs 4 - 6.)

The people of Israel didn't seem to notice what God was doing for them—setting them free, making them a new nation, giving them a new land, because they were so wrapped in what God wasn't doing for them. They could think of nothing except the delicious Egyptian food they have left behind. Somehow they forgot that the brutal whip of the Egyptian slavery was the cost of eating that food.

Before we judge the Israelites too harshly, it is helpful to think of what occupies our attention most of the time. Are we grateful for what God has given us or are we always thinking about what we would like to have? We should not allow our unfulfilled desires to cause us to forget God's gift of life, food, health, work, friends etc.

Like our first parents—Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden where they lived, Satan approached Eve and questioned her contentment. How could she be happy when she was not allowed to eat from one of the fruit trees? Satan helped her shift her focus from all that God had done and given to the one thing He had withheld. And she was willing to accept Satan’s viewpoint without checking with God.

Like Eve, how often is our attention drawn from the much that is ours to the little that isn’t? We get that “I’ve got to have it” feeling. Eve was typical of us all, and we consistently show we are her descendants by repeating her mistakes. Our desires, like Eve’s, can be quite easily manipulated. They are not the best basis for actions. We need to keep God in our decision-making process always. His Word, the Bible, is our guidebook in decision-making.

Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting to accepting His provision and power to live for Him. The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His Will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. This engenders contentment, and the attitude of being thankful to Him for whatever you have that He has provided. 

Do you have great needs, or are you discontented because you don’t have what you want? Learn to rely on God’s promise and Christ’s power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment in every circumstance. He will supply all your needs, but in a way that He knows is best for you. 

Our quest should be to honor God and center our desires on Him, and He will add to you all other things that is your need (Matthew 6 vs 33). 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of contentment and trust in You, that I may live for You; to obey and serve You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

ENGENDERS AN ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING

We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth He will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven He will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Christ does not grant us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we want or can imagine without regard to His interests. We are created for His purpose, and He provides all our needs to accomplish His purpose.