Contentment.. Are you content with what you have?

I like what Paul says here:

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
Philippians 4:11-12 NAS77

I like this because I've been there. I made a ton of money in the car business including my last one in six figures. I made less than $10,000 serving two churches the following year. I've owned properties and significant investments only to liquidate every penny to cover my son's illness and extensive hospitalizations. Experience tells me that if you are not content with a widow's mite you will not be content with a king's ransom. I had both and found contentment with the lesser of the two. Why?

We ask the Lord to "give us this day our daily bread." He does so according to " according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." That is His provision for us. It exhibits a Father's love for His children by meeting our needs. God has done this for us.

Back in the day I would boast at length about my ability to close a sale and produce a hearty income. The more I focused on my own industry the less I depended on God and the less content I became.

 

Am I content with what I have?

Yes and no.

I'm a collector - firearms if you must know. (Even if you didn't, too late!) I constantly seek 'more' items for my collection. In that sense, I'm not 'content'. However, I don't spend the rent and grocery money, or take out loans for items I desire. I am 'content' with the process of looking and finding items and then figuring out how to afford them without impinging on my serious commitments.

In a similar manner, I would like to have more faith. I want to rely on God more and be concerned with 'doing it' less. I want to spend more time in prayer and meditation. At the same time, I know God is working in my life to be what He wants me to be. So I'm content with God's time-table and God's work process.

You asked, "What can I do?" Simply this: Live. Consider your plans and act accordingly. God gave you a brain and He expects that gift to be used. At the same time, consult God about His plans for your life. If you don't get detailed directions immediately, get a job and pay your bills as best you can.

God will provide for His people. Not always on our schedule, but He always delivers. So just relax and do. If that sounds 'zen', God was around first.

 

I get the book thing. Is there a place near you that sells used books? madre and I go to Goodwill and Salvo a lot. We also have a consignment shop a block away that sells a lot of books. Our favorite place is in Cooperstown. You can find just about anything you'd want in their religion section - classics to recent releases. They don't value religious books as high as novels which is reflected in their pricing. I bought Swindoll's Grace Awakening for $2.00.

 

Ay, there's the rub!


Godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

Excellent point. There are many more content poor folks living in the will of God than rich folks living in the will of God. Many rich people have a life as empty as the vastness of outer space. Rare indeed is the person that has everything they want or are rich, and still put the Lord first and remain in His will. My favorite verse in finances is seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and everything else just naturally comes along. For the Christian, there is no need to seek or pursue material gain.

 

It may be a result of my life's experience, but I am content.

 

Yes, we are quite content, not that we have that much. I live in a 4 million dollar house with a golf course, pool, tennis court, and horses on 26 acres. We have 2 corvettes, a Lexus, and a Fleetwood RV. Of course, at times we go on trips in our Lear jet or yacht for a weekend jaunt. Our savings is down to 4 million, but we have done better with about 9 million in stocks and bonds. We have lost some on our gold and silver as of late. My bonus last year was also down a bit from last year. We do not have what most people do in our neighborhood, but we have learned to appreciate what the Lord has given us.

 

2 Corvettes? You are a greedy man SN. :tongue3:

 

The definition of a materialistic person:

Anyone who has more goodies than me!

And all those folks with less goodies than me are lazy and envious!

Now excuse me while I polish my self-righteousness.

 

Cheetos - always looking for more.

 

I have them. Go ahead and covet. I triple dog dare you.

 

It is amazing what we could all cut back to and still be happy/content/make do with. Start giving things away. That will make you scream with joy.

 

While all of my needs are met, I still can't help but want something better. I live in a 24-year-old RV that has definitely seen it's better days. Still, the roof doesn't leak, and almost everything works. What doesn't work I can live without.

I would love to have a real house with walls that are thicker than 2 1/2 inches, with plenty of insulation so that I can actually heat the indoors when it's cold and cool it when it's too hot.

I eat well, although I'm on a restricted diet because of diabetes and other health problems. I suffer really bad from allergies, painful bursitis in my shoulders, neck pain from a fall off a 1-story roof and arthritis in all my joints.

Still, whenever I feel a sharp pain, I say "Ouch!" Then I praise God. I don't thank Him for the pain; I can't bring myself to do that since I'm not thankful for it. However, like Job, I refuse to blame God or curse His name because of pain, sickness, or other problems. I refuse to give the devil the satisfaction of hearing me say anything other than "Praise God!"

 

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11--

The late broadcaster Paul Harvey noted that it was obvious that Paul was not a Texan.

But he was a Southerner, since Paul said things like "I beseech you all...."

I think I'm like a lot of people. I don't want a lot more, just a little more than I've got. Say, about half of what saturneptune has, and I'll be content.