This was written by my daughter-in-law Nancy for The Hammer Magazine.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Heb. 13:5)
We know from 1 Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain,” and we know from Philippians that Paul “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.” But what was this secret of Paul’s, and what is the reason for our contentment?
Contentment, though not a fruit of the Spirit itself, seems closely linked to peace or even patience. We know if we have it when we are in adverse circumstances, because it is relatively easy to be content when everything is going well in our life.
Webster’s defines contentment as being “happy enough with what one has or is.” Discontent, on the other hand, is usually accompanied with anxiety, covetousness, and greed.
Obviously, our reason for contentment should not be based on our circumstances or our possessions or it will be uncertain and dubious. But look again at Hebrews 13:5. The reason for our contentment in this world is straightforward and simple: “because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’” What a surprising statement! My contentment is based on an objective truth: God will never leave me or forsake me! God will never withdraw His presence. Knowing that should affect my attitude towards circumstances and worldly possessions. They are uncertain and unpredictable. God is sure. His promise is eternal. When we, as Christians, are tempted to be discontent we should learn to counsel ourselves by remembering His comforting words, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Heb. 13:5)
We know from 1 Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain,” and we know from Philippians that Paul “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.” But what was this secret of Paul’s, and what is the reason for our contentment?
Contentment, though not a fruit of the Spirit itself, seems closely linked to peace or even patience. We know if we have it when we are in adverse circumstances, because it is relatively easy to be content when everything is going well in our life.
Webster’s defines contentment as being “happy enough with what one has or is.” Discontent, on the other hand, is usually accompanied with anxiety, covetousness, and greed.
Obviously, our reason for contentment should not be based on our circumstances or our possessions or it will be uncertain and dubious. But look again at Hebrews 13:5. The reason for our contentment in this world is straightforward and simple: “because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’” What a surprising statement! My contentment is based on an objective truth: God will never leave me or forsake me! God will never withdraw His presence. Knowing that should affect my attitude towards circumstances and worldly possessions. They are uncertain and unpredictable. God is sure. His promise is eternal. When we, as Christians, are tempted to be discontent we should learn to counsel ourselves by remembering His comforting words, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
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