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Content, Thankful, But What's Next? - Part 1 - Content

by Jerry Ousley  
3/22/2013 / Christian Living

I have often thought about the word "Content." When we are content it means that we are satisfied and not in want of any more. There aren't many of us in the world who have learned the art of being content.

However, after living all my life wanting the next thing, another trinket or a little bit more, I can truthfully say that I have arrived at contentment. That doesn't mean that I am a wealthy man and that I don't lack anything. Of course there are other things I would like to have and other situations I'd rather be in. But God is teaching me contentment.

I read about the great Apostle Paul who scraped together every penny he could by making tents in order to buy food for himself and his traveling companions. Much of his transportation was by foot but there were times he had to travel by ship and even in those days you didn't hop aboard a freighter for nothing. He suffered greatly from beatings, hunger, hardship, pain and persecution. He was probably one of the most misunderstood men in history because Gentiles scoffed at him and his teaching while his own fellow Jews hated him because of the same. He spent a lot of time behind bars just because he wanted others to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Despite all these things he wrote, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.(Philippians 4:11)" That just blows me away. How can anyone be content, satisfied, and happy when there is so much tragedy, hate, lust, and sin in this world?

It is one of the most difficult things to accomplish for someone who has a lot of money or things to become content. Contentment means that we come to the conclusion that we have enough. The fact is that most who have much in way of money, things, or goods, fall into the trap of wanting more and more and more. That's why Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich man to get into Heaven. It didn't mean that the rich can't go to Heaven but just that they must come to a place where they are content. I can just picture a wealthy fat man trying to crawl through the eye of a needle! Of course that would be impossible. But with God all things are possible. The main point of Jesus wasn't the rich man trying to get through the eye of a needle but that it is extremely difficult for us mortals to conquer the slavery of riches and put Christ first.

But this isn't just limited to the rich. Many who have little spend a lot of time complaining about what they don't have. They look at the rich and covet in their hearts. Paul also wrote, "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6:8)." He was telling us that if we have food to eat and clothing to warm us then that's all we really need. That's a hard one to live up to.

But I submit to you that being content is really the secret to wealth. It may never make our bank accounts burst at the seams and we may never live in a mansion on this side of life, but because human nature is to always be wanting, Paul also wrote in 1 Timothy 6:6, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." To be a believer in Christ, a disciple of Jesus, and a child of God, and become content, well, that's the formula to true wealth. It means that we have discovered the true fountain of youth Jesus Christ who gives us water to drink that will give us eternal life. We have come to the place where we know that God is in control and we can rest in Him despite trouble, sickness, turmoil and persecution. It means that if the banks fail and we lose all our possessions, our true wealth is still securely intact because our wealth isn't in paper money, a healthy bank statement, or in fine clothing, fancy cars and big houses; our wealth is in being content.

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

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