It’s possible to live a contented life regardless of where we are or what we’re doing.
When we understand all that Jesus has done for us and what we’ve been saved from we will at least learn how to be thankful.
The beginning of contentment is gratefulness.
Contentment doesn’t come out of material assets or great fame. It does come out of a relationship with God.
There’s nothing wrong with having possessions, as long as they don’t possess us.
There’s nothing wrong with being well known or highly esteemed as long as that is no all we are looking for.
There’s nothing wrong with eating the fat of the land as long as we are participating in its production.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
The context here is avoiding envy, strife, critical attitudes, evil suspicions and useless wrangling which come out of the pursuit of material and social gain. We are to withdraw ourselves from these scenarios.
We are to pursue godliness, and along with it contentment. Paul adds to this:
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13
Our strength and ability to maintain contentment is in Christ, who endured the suffering of the cross for the way that was presented ahead of Him, the understanding and knowledge that though His sacrifice many would be librated through with.
This is telling us that we can learn to be contented in any situation and it will behove us to do so.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6
There’s no problem with us working for, desiring or praying for necessities, or even for an overflow, for an abundance of supply; some for seed, and some to give to others in times of need, but we are to avoid being covetous. The Old English calls it being ‘greedy for filthy lucre’.
It’s love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Ti 6:10). Money in itself is neutral, merely a token of exchange for effort or commerce, but the love of it in a covetous sense is an issue that will drive people crazy and potentially open the door for every wicked work.
Conversely the joy of the Lord is our strength. Eating the fat of the land is often a sign that He is with us and loves us and is blessing us, so there is nothing wrong with being blessed by the Lord.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
As Paul says, we are sometimes abounding and sometimes abased. In whatever state we are in we need to be thankful to God and to be contented with who we are and what we have.
Whatever state we are in today, abounding or abased, God will always be there for us, our ever present Help in time of need.
