Some Lessons On Contentment
Some Lessons On Contentment
“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed you have been concerned, but have no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance . 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 everything through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:10-13
Learning Contentment
To be contented is not a natural thing for a man. It is a lesson to be learned. For Apostle Paul it is one of the greatest lessons he learned in Christianity. Knowing the background of Apostle Paul, he is not one person who is accustomed to poverty and sufferings. Before becoming a Christian Apostle Paul lived an affluent lifestyle holding a prestigious position in the Jewish society. Having studied under the prestigious school of Gamaliel who was one of the most respected Jewish Pharisee at their time, Paul has gained much edge in his career as Pharisee, But when Paul became a Christian, he lost all the great things he enjoyed before and lived a life of faith constantly battered with persecutions and sufferings. As it is written in Philippians 3:7-8;
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord , for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.”
As Christians we need to learn contentment. Here are some important reasons :
First it is commanded to us as it is written in Hebrews 13:5;
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”
A christian is commanded to cease from loving money and to be content with whatever he has.
Secondly, it is difficult if not impossible to have joy in the Lord and to worship Him sincerely without contentment. One of the secrets in maintaining joy in the Lord is having contentment. We must be contented with whatever the Lord provided for us in order to remain joyful as a Christian.
Third it helps us to be shielded from many sins and temptations as it is written in I Timothy 6:6-10;
“But godliness with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptations and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
Contentment brings many blessings and benefits. It is one of the keys to real happiness. To be able to accept your real situation in life and the things that you cannot change anymore is a step higher towards achieving happiness in life.
Famous Quotes On Contentment
“A Christian should be satisfied with what God has made the object of his faith –JesusChrist.”.
By Jeremiah Burroughs
The Lord JesusChrist is high enough to satisfy soul, it is capable of a thousand more than it is. Contentment is finding sufficiency in Christ alone. It means JesusChrist is enough for our happiness. We do not need anymore the world stuff to make us happy. The things the world provide no matter how sophisticated they are, are not necessary for us to receive happiness in this life. The christian’s happiness is constantly experiencing the presence and fellowship of God.
“Contentment does not depend on what we have. It depends on who we are. It is a spiritual attainment.”
By Theodore Epp
Contentment is a state of the heart. Being a Christian and being a child of God is a great reason to be content.
“Contentment is an inner sense of rest and peace that comes from being right with God and knowing that He is in control of all that happens to us. “
By Steven Cole
It means having our focus on the Kingdom of God and on serving Him, not on the love of money and things. We learn contentment by cultivating godliness, generosity, humility, faith in God and being assured of His power and presence and being more and more in love with Jesus.
We must understand that contentment is a mystery. It can only be taught by God Himself.
A Christian can be content yet very dissatisfied. It means a Christian can never be satisfied by anything the world could offer. A heart that is made for God should not be content with houses, properties, riches and fame. But having God, a christian will be content even without the houses, properties, riches and fame.
A Christian achieves contentment not by addition but by subtraction. It does not come by adding what you have or want, but by subtracting from your desires. A contented Christian sees much even in the little that he receives. He sees that what he receives has the love of God in them. He sees that what he receives is but a foretaste of the eternal blessings God has in store for him.
A true Christian finds contentment in every circumstance by getting strength from JesusChrist. We must realize the possibility of being contented and yet accomplishing much through JesusChrist. For no matter what the circumstance of our lives, we can accomplish much through JesusChrist.
To be content in life, a Christian must find his sufficiency in Christ alone, he must find his all in al in Christ. Just like Apostle Paul who is always and ever in love with JesusChrist. Despite the severe afflictions he encountered in life, he was able to persevere because he is inspired by his love for JesusChrist. For Apostle Paul loving Jesus makes his life complete amidst fiery trials and severe adversities. Loving Jesus makes him content in everything.
This hub is an excerpt from the Worship Service Message preached on the night of November 7, 2010 by Brother Benjie Baclagon at Grace Bible Church (Manila, Philippines)..
