Contentment

Physical and Spiritual

Are you happy?Are you content?

Do you know the difference?

Or, Can you be one without the other? Generally,• “Happiness” is usually a temporary

condition based on external circumstances; and,

• True “contentment” is a perpetual state based internal decision and commitment.

Contentment- Phil.4:10-13; 1Tim.6:6-9

More specifically, what is it, or what isn’t it? It isn’t laziness, or being a slacker, 1Cor.4:12.

It isn’t being under-motivated, or an under-achiever, Phil.4:13.

It is a decision to be satisfied with what you have, Heb.13:5.

In a spiritual context, contentment is trusting God to provide what is needed and best, and being happy with however much or little it may be, 2Cor.12:7-10.

Contentment- Phil.4:10-13; 1Tim.6:6-9

What is the source of contentment- and what isn’t?

It isn’t abundance, Phil.4:12b- rich people can be just as greedy and discontent as poor people, 1Tim.6:17-19.

It isn’t the ability or willingness to do without, Phil.4:12a- poor people can be just as envious and covetous as rich people, 1Tim.6:9-11.

Contentment, it seems to me, has two primary sources:

1. Humility of mind; and,

2. Trust in the heart. Let me illustrate this way…

Contentment- Phil.4:10-13; 1Tim.6:6-9

Consider discontentment in our physical lives (anything from jobs, cars, homes, schools, to the sexual relationship between husbands and wives):

I should have more (competiveness based on comparisons).

I deserve more (covetousness based on arrogance).

I need more (doubt, rather than trust, based on dissatisfaction).

I want more (desire based on greed).

What is the common denominator?

Lack of humility in the thought processes, Rom.12:3.

Contentment- Phil.4:10-13; 1Tim.6:6-9

Consider contentment in our spiritual lives (anything from our relationships and roles within the kingdom to everything physical previously considered):

I should have more becomes “God will give me what I need,” Matt.6:25-33; Luke 16:10; Matt.25:14-30.

I deserve more becomes “I deserve only death,” Rom.3:23; 6:23.

I need more becomes “I have all I need,” 1Tim.6:8.

I want more becomes “I want only to please God- ‘Thy will, not mine, be done,’” 1Thess.4:10b-12.

What is the common denominator?

Trust in the heart, 2Cor.1:8-12.

Contentment- Conclusions:

Some say, “Contentment is not ‘having what you want,’ but, ‘wanting what you have.’”

Maybe- but more precisely, and from a more spiritual perspective,

“Contentment is recognizing that everything you have came from God rather from yourself

(1Tim.6:7, humility of mind),

and trusting in God that it is sufficient and best (Matt.6:30, trust in the heart),

enough to be truly appreciative for and satisfied with however much or little it may be,”

(Phil.4:11).

Contentment- Conclusions:

Now, do You have the:

Humility of mind and trust in heart necessary to be truly

appreciative (thankful) and satisfied (content) with what God provides?

If so, you will live a wonderfully content and happy life, 1Tim.6:6!

If not, a lifetime of discontent and misery awaits you, 1Tim.6:9.

The choice is yours!