Dennis Abernathy

I heard a story about the wealthy man who overheard one of his workers say: “I’d be content if only I had a hundred dollars.” Well, knowing his own money had not given him inner peace, the wealthy man told the worker: “I’d like to see someone who is perfectly contented, so here’s a hundred dollars.” Giving her the money, he turned to leave, but heard her bitterly say as he was walking away: “Why on earth didn’t I say $200.00?” Well, that little story is intended to remind us that contentment is hard to come by, and money doesn’t bring it!

The Bible has a great deal to say about contentment; being satisfied with what we have, who we are, and where we are going. Jesus said: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matt. 6: 25). He is telling us not to worry about the things of this world. He then adds: “The pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (6: 32-33).

For example, the apostle Paul suffered and went without the comforts of life more than most people could ever imagine (See 2 Cor. 11: 33-38). Yet he wrote: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; 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 all things through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4: 11-13). Heb. 13: 5-6 says: “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?” Yet, we find ourselves continuing to seek after more of the things of this world, rather than being content with our lot in life. The wise and wealthy Solomon said: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Eccl. 5: 10).

What is my point? Being content is not an impossible dream. It is something we can learn and develop in our life by putting our faith, trust and confidence in God. Thus, we are not content because of what we have, but because of Who we know. Think on these things