Contentment is Key

[Christ4Ever]

Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. Proverbs 15:16-17 NLT

Everything in this world, it seems, is designed to make you discontent. Phone companies want you to upgrade your device or service, automakers think you need some hotter wheels, pharmaceutical companies imply (even say out loud) that you’re too tired, too fat, too bald. What’s a guy to do?

Well, a Christian guy should follow the example of the apostle Paul, who “learned how to be content with whatever I have” (Philippians 4:11). For a man who had enjoyed times of plenty and survived periods of scarcity, Jesus was the key. “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Paul’s words parallel today’s scripture. Our “fear for the Lord” makes up any lack we may experience—or any supposed lack the world tries to convince us we’re suffering. On the other hand, no earthly treasure could ever make up for the “inner turmoil” of life without God. His love and the love of the friends and family He gives us make whatever we have “better than.” But we need to make a decision: Will we be content with what God’s given us?

Prayer: Father God, You have given me all I need and much that I want. Help me to be content.

 

[Curtis]

1Ti 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Pro 30:7 O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die.
Pro 30:8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
Pro 30:9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

 

[complete]

'Godly sorrow'
'For behold this selfsame thing,
that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,
what carefulness it wrought in you,
.. yea, what clearing of yourselves,
.... yea, what indignation,
...... yea, what fear,
........ yea, what vehement desire,
.......... yea, what zeal,
............ yea, what revenge!
In all things ye have approved yourselves
to be clear in this matter.'
(2Cor.7:11)

'Godly fear'

'Wherefore
we receiving a kingdom
which cannot be moved,
let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably
with reverence and godly fear:'
(Heb.12:28)

 

[complete]

Better to have little, with fear for the LORD, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. Proverbs 15:16-17 NLT

Everything in this world, it seems, is designed to make you discontent. Phone companies want you to upgrade your device or service, automakers think you need some hotter wheels, pharmaceutical companies imply (even say out loud) that you’re too tired, too fat, too bald. What’s a guy to do?

Well, a Christian guy should follow the example of the apostle Paul, who “learned how to be content with whatever I have” (Philippians 4:11). For a man who had enjoyed times of plenty and survived periods of scarcity, Jesus was the key. “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Paul’s words parallel today’s scripture. Our “fear for the Lord” makes up any lack we may experience—or any supposed lack the world tries to convince us we’re suffering. On the other hand, no earthly treasure could ever make up for the “inner turmoil” of life without God. His love and the love of the friends and family He gives us make whatever we have “better than.” But we need to make a decision: Will we be content with what God’s given us?

Prayer: Father God, You have given me all I need and much that I want. Help me to be content.

Hello @Christ4Ever,
i
Oh! yes. Please! Please! Please!

Life is so short, what a waste if we do not live each moment in the right spirit.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[complete]

Hello again,

* Looking up the word, 'content', in the concordance to find a particular verse, I found reference to two individuals, spoken about by John in his third letter, Diotrephes and Demetrius. The once has a bad report from John, and the other is applauded by him.

'I wrote unto the church:
but Diotrephes,
who loveth to have the preeminence among them,
receiveth us not.
Wherefore, if I come,
I will remember his deeds which he doeth,
prating against us with malicious words:
and not content therewith,
neither doth he himself receive the brethren,
and forbiddeth them that would,
and casteth them out of the church. '
(3 John 1:9)

'Beloved, follow not that which is evil,
but that which is good.
He that doeth good is of God:
but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
(3 John 1:11)

'Demetrius hath good report of all men,
and of the truth itself:
yea, and we also bear record;
and ye know that our record is true.'
(3 John 1:12 )

 

[Christ4Ever]

Hello @Christ4Ever,
i
Oh! yes. Please! Please! Please!

Life is so short, what a waste if we do not live each moment in the right spirit.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Well said Sister Chris! Amen, Amen, Amen!!!