Am I content?

How often are we just content? Think about it for a moment. How often are you thankful and happy for the present life you have? How often are you satisfied with the things that God in His wisdom has given us?

Or should we be asking ourselves these questions: How often do I wish for new things? A new car? New clothes? A new house? A new job? A new physique? A new toy? A new hairstyle? A new phone? A new TV? How is it that we always want new things, as if what we already have is just not good enough?

Yes, sometimes we do need new things, but more often then not we would be more than fine without getting that 'new thing'.

The apostle Paul says in his letter to Timothy: Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6) The world seeks 'new things' it always wants more, it is never satisfied. And living in a modernised world we are encouraged by it to live with this 'never satisfied' approach to life. But Paul strictly tells us, that such as life is not for the Christian. A truly godly person must not be interested in getting the biggest and the best in life, for he possess a much greater treasure that earthly resources cannot buy. Real contentment is a mind at peace with God. (Michael Bently)

Earlier in 1 Tim 4:8 Paul tells us that bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things. Contentment is born from godliness. If you walk in godliness and lay up for yourself treasure in heaven, then you will be content. A true humble Christian knows that material possessions are like fleeting pleasures; they cannot satisfy the soul. Instead, a believer's contentment comes from knowing and doing God's will. (MB)

This is not to say that believers must live simple lives as if having more possessions is because they are not content. For Paul says in Phil 4: I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. He says he knows how to abound and to suffer need, yet in all situations he is content. And that is the key. We must be content in whatever situation God has placed us in.

Find peace and contentment in God, and He promises to grant you all that you have need.