Contentment not Competition
Never in our age have we seen such emptiness and lack of satisfaction among people like in this generation. In the age where the companies produce new technology making a product they produced 2 weeks ago obsolete, contentment is very crucial.Contentment is learnt.
Contentment as different from satisfaction is not dependant on the outside. Contentment looks at all situations and its attitude still remains despite the situation. Contentment is learnt and you grow in it. You can be content in lack, plenty or even famine because you don’t look to the outside but the inside. Paul in Phil 4:11 stated that he had learnt to be content in any state. Satisfaction is about being filled and it is dependant on what comes from out. Prosperity is our inheritance as children of God but if you don’t learn contentment when you still have little, you won’t be content with a lot.
Contentment Comes due to Revelation
In Hebrews 13, the Holy Spirit teaches us not to covet but to be content with such things as we have. This contentment is a result of revelation of God’s abiding presence. When you understand that God will never leave you nor forsake you, you start being content even in the midst of lack because you are ready and equal to anything. Phil 4:13, a common text of scripture, in the Amplified Bible reads “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” This is one reason why people have ended up with schemes to get rich quick bse of lack of knowledge of this basic truth.
Godliness with contentment is great gain
The bible states clearly that godliness is profitable not only in this life but also in the life to come. (1Tim 4:8). Now godliness is profitable, but now notice that the bible adds that godliness with contentment is great gain(1Tim 6:6). Lack of contentment is one reason why some people wanting to grow rich have ended up in destruction. Being rich is okay and it is ours but you have to learn to be content in order to enjoy the riches and also keep your soul otherwise… So grow in contentment. Competition is healthy but if you are trying to keep up with the Joneses, you are in for a rude awakening. Learn to run the race set before you, be motivated by others but don’t try to outrun anybody.
Remember that Contentment is learnt.
