SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1241
“Contentment”
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
It has been proven that contented cows give more and better milk. This was used as a marketing slogan as far back as the early 1900’s and the theorem has been applied to management and leadership principles to this day that contented employees are more productive.
Contentment as a biblical Truth teaches us that contented Christians live more godly lives.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. – Timothy 6:9-11
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 5:10
Our flesh desires more. It is prone to covetousness, desiring what others have.
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15
Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
…For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:25,32-33
Contentment does not come naturally. It is a learned and developed character trait. Apart from the Holy Spirit working in us, we can never be content.
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 all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. – Galatians 5:17
When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness that is where the treasure of our heart is and the Holy Spirit, abiding in us, empowers us with discernment to learn contentment.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21
Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. – Proverbs 23:4
I worked closely in a tech company with a mechanical engineer decades ago. I have never forgotten the Scripture verse he had on his cubicle wall from Proverbs 30. He told me that he grew up in the deep south in poverty and among other things, did not experience indoor plumbing until he went to college. It would have been easy for him to seek more and more of worldly comforts as a successful engineer, yet he kept the reminder of God’s Word in front of him every day that first and foremost, his relationship with Jesus was where his heart and treasure needed to be.
Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. – Proverbs 30:7-9
May the treasure of your heart be in a close, personal relationship with Jesus.
May the Holy Spirit equip you and empower you to overcome the desires of the flesh and learn to be content in all your circumstances for ‘godliness with contentment is great gain.
Sword of the Spirit 