The Secrets of Contentment
This morning while Audrey and I
were finishing our coffee, I made this statement, “A few years ago, people were
running to keep up with the neighbors and now they are running to keep up with
the bill collector.” I believe that one
of our greatest challenges as believers is contentment. Now that I have your attention, let me
clarify what I mean. John tells us that there are three things that
are in the world. Look at what he said,
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust
of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not
from the Father, but is from the world. (1 John 2:15-16 NASU) Notice with me that two of the things that
John lists here are lusts. Lust and
contentment are opposites of each other.
A lust is an out of control desire while contentment means to have those
desires controlled or fulfilled.
The world that the Apostle John
is talking about isn’t this natural world, but instead it is the world’s
system. It is the Greek word “kosmos”
from which we get our English word cosmetics.
This word basically means an orderly arrangement or decoration. The apostle John is telling us that the
arrangement or system of the world is made up of two things which are the lust
of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. Many
Christians have become so enthralled with the idea of getting all they can get
that they have lost sight of the fact that the commandments of God are to love
God and our neighbor, and not the things that are in the world.
For many people, contentment has become
something that is negative about a person instead of a positive and godly
attribute. The reason this is so
dangerous is that it takes away from the things that we are supposed to be
passionate about. Those things are,
loving God with everything we have and loving our neighbor equal to
ourselves. Let us notice also that there
are two types of lust. One is for things
that are fleshly or natural things. This
can be everything from sexual lust to food to a new car. The second lust is for the things the eye
sees. What are these things? They are things like fame, popularity, and
authority. Basically, things you can see,
but not feel with your hands.
So what is contentment? Contentment is a condition of the heart. It really has nothing to do with the
conditions around us. The Apostle Paul
told us that he could be content in any situation. In Philippians 4:11, Paul says, “Not that I
speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I
am.” Paul was saying that he isn’t at a
place that he doesn’t have enough. Paul
has just received an offering from the church at Philippi. He is in a place of contentment, but notice
what he says next. Paul has learned to
be content in every circumstance. Paul
tells us that he has learned how to live with little and much. He has learned the secret of being content in
hunger and when he was filled. What was
that secret? How could he live contented
in every situation? Paul tells us in
verse 13 where he says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens
me.” The secret of contentment is found
in the strength that Christ gives. What
is this strength? It is the strength that
takes our desires and controls them. Instead
of looking to things or positions to be empowered, the Apostle Paul looked to
the power of God in Christ. I know that
seems odd. We have such a tendency to
look at things or positions to be fulfilled or content. Paul looked at the empowerment of Christ for
his contentment. He knew that no matter
what circumstance he was in, he could be content because Christ empowered
him.
Today if you’re struggling with
being content, listen to Paul’s secret to contentment. Rely on the power of Christ to fulfill
you. Things will always grow old. Power and position will never be enough, but
in Christ you can find contentment. Turn
to Him today and ask for that same power that Paul had to live a contented
life.