Contentment

To be content means to be at peace & satisfied in the Lord. It is not a license
to be apathetic or complacent. It does not mean to not give our best.

Contentment

"Not that I speak in regard to need,
for I have learned in whatever state I am,
to be content."

(Philippians 4:11)

While preparing for a recent prayer meeting at our church, I studied Psalms 139:23-24:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting."

The Hebrew word translated "anxieties" is sar apim. It means to have uneasy or disquieting, anxious thoughts, or secrets (BlueLetterBible.org).

As I asked the Holy Spirit to search me, I felt Him leading me to this word, content. This is an area in which I need to grow in my walk with God. To be content means to be at peace and to be satisfied in the Lord. It is not a license to be apathetic or complacent. It does not mean that we should not give our best in what God calls us to pursue. But it does mean that if we are walking in obedience and pursuing the Lord and giving our best, then that is enough. When things are out of our control, there is no need to worry or become malcontent. That would be sin.

The Apostle Paul was the most dynamic Christian to ever live. He was sold out to Jesus Christ and gave his best for our Lord. However, he said he had to learn to be content. I too am learning to be content, and it is a hard lesson for me and one I must learn and relearn, it seems. If we are not content and satisfied in the Lord, the temptation will be for us to become bitter or angry. Angry at God. Upset about our circumstances. But if we are content, fully satisfied in Jesus, then we can be at ease and at rest, knowing that God has it all under control.

Here are a few more verses that speak to the subject of contentment:

1 Timothy 6:6 - "Now godliness with contentment is great gain."

1 Timothy 6:8 - "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

Hebrews 13:5 - "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."

Are you content in the biblical meaning of contentment?

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Podcast of the Week

Readings and Homilies in Romans, Pt. 8

Pastor Danny continues his series reading through the book of Romans one chapter at a time and afterwards offering a homily (a brief commentary on the Scripture that was just read). In this episode, he reads and comments on Romans Chapter 8.

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